A linkage group composed of three coat color genes and three serum protein loci in horses.
Abstract: The equine coat color genes chestnut (e) and roan (Rn) have been tested for linkage to 15 protein and blood group loci. Data showing close or fairly close linkage to the serum albumin locus (Al) and loose linkage to the serum esterase locus (Es) for both e and Rn are presented. This means that three coat color genes (To, e and Rn) and three serum protein loci (Al, Gc, and Es) are linked in the same linkage group. The gene order can tentatively be written Al, Gc, Rn, To-e-Es. The implications of the results for studies on coat color inheritance in horses are discussed. The possibility of using electrophoretic markers when testing hypotheses of allelism between coat color genes is suggested. The linkage of e and Es in the horse is proposed to be homologous to the loose linkage of the extension locus (e) and a cluster of esterase loci on chromosome 8 in the mouse, and on linkage group IV in the rabbit. Designations for the known autosomal linkage groups in the horse are suggested.
Publication Date: 1982-03-01 PubMed ID: 7096983
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article is about the identification of a group of linked genes in horses that influence coat color and serum protein types.
Research Objective and Methodology
The study aimed to examine the relationship between certain genes related to coat color (chestnut and roan) and a group of protein and blood-related genes in horses. The researchers tested these genes against 15 protein and blood group loci to determine if there were any linkage. The grouping of genes on a chromosome that are inherited together is called a linkage group.
Findings
- The data revealed that there is a relatively close linkage between the genes for chestnut (e) and roan (Rn) colors to the serum albumin locus (Al), a gene related to a specific blood protein.
- There was also a loosely connected linkage observed between these coat color genes and the serum esterase locus (Es), another gene related to a specific type of protein found in the blood.
- As a result, the researchers identified that three coat color genes (To, e, and Rn) and three serum protein loci (Al, Gc, and Es) are linked in the same group, with a tentative gene order of Al, Gc, Rn, To-e-Es.
Implications
- The results of this study have significant relevance for studies on coat color inheritance in horses. Understanding which genes are linked can contribute to our understanding of how different coat colors are inherited.
- The researchers suggest the possibility of using electrophoretic markers, a laboratory technique used to study protein, to test hypothesis of allelism between coat color genes. Allelism is a phenomenon where two or more versions of a gene occur at the same genetic locus in different individuals of a species.
- The linkage of ‘e’ and ‘Es’ in horses is proposed to be similar to the loose linkage of these genes in mice and rabbits, suggesting a possible common evolution of these genes in mammals.
Conclusion
The authors have proposed specific designations for known groups of linked genes that are found on the horse’s autosomes, the non-sex chromosomes. This research enlarges our understanding of the complex genetic factors influencing horse coat color and could have practical implications in horse breeding.
Cite This Article
APA
Andersson L, Sandberg K.
(1982).
A linkage group composed of three coat color genes and three serum protein loci in horses.
J Hered, 73(2), 91-94.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Group Antigens / genetics
- Blood Proteins / genetics
- Chromosome Mapping
- Esterases / genetics
- Female
- Genes
- Genetic Linkage
- Hair Color
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Serum Albumin / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Voß K, Tetens J, Thaller G, Becker D. Coat Color Roan Shows Association with KIT Variants and No Evidence of Lethality in Icelandic Horses. Genes (Basel) 2020 Jun 22;11(6).
- Andersson L, Arnason T, Sandberg K. Biochemical polymorphism in relation to performance in horses. Theor Appl Genet 1987 Jan;73(3):419-27.
- Lindgren G, Sandberg K, Persson H, Marklund S, Breen M, Sandgren B, Carlstén J, Ellegren H. A primary male autosomal linkage map of the horse genome. Genome Res 1998 Sep;8(9):951-66.
- Marklund L, Moller MJ, Sandberg K, Andersson L. A missense mutation in the gene for melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R) is associated with the chestnut coat color in horses. Mamm Genome 1996 Dec;7(12):895-9.
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