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Hereditas2017; 155; 13; doi: 10.1186/s41065-017-0048-y

Regulatory pathway analysis of coat color genes in Mongolian horses.

Abstract: Studies on the molecular genetics of horse skin pigmentation have typically focused on very few genes and proteins. In this study, we used Illumina sequencing to determine the global gene expression profiles in horses with white-colored coats and those with black-colored coats, with the goal of identifying novel genes that could regulate horse coat color. Results: Genes encoding ribosomal-associated proteins were highly expressed in horse skin. We found a total of 231 unigenes that were differentially expressed between horses with white coats and horses with black coats; 119 were down-regulated, and 112 were up-regulated. Many of the up-regulated genes in black horses, such as genes related to tyrosine metabolism, may directly regulate dark coat color. Keratin genes, MIA family genes, fatty acid-related genes, and melanoma-associated genes were also differentially regulated, which suggests that they may play important roles in coat color formation. Conclusions: These findings show that the transcription profiles from white and black horse skin provide useful information to understand the genetics underlying the control of skin melanin synthesis in horses, which may enhance our knowledge of human skin diseases, such as melanoma and albinism.
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Publication Date: 2017-09-29 PubMed ID: 28974924PubMed Central: PMC5622463DOI: 10.1186/s41065-017-0048-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research used genetic sequencing to compare the gene expression in horses with different coat colors. The scientists discovered numerous genes that were expressed differently depending on the horse’s coat color, giving valuable insight on how skin color and diseases like melanoma could be genetically influenced.

Methodology

  • The researchers used Illumina sequencing, a well-established technique for determining gene sequences, to compare gene expression profiles in horses with white-colored coats and those with black-colored coats.

Results

  • The study found that genes encoding ribosomal-associated proteins were highly expressed in horse skin. Ribosomal proteins play a key role in protein formation, so their increased presence may be contributing to the pigmentation process.
  • A total of 231 unique genes were differentially expressed between the two groups of horses, with 119 being down-regulated (less expressed) and 112 were being up-regulated (more expressed) in black horses as compared to white horses.
  • Specifically, many of the up-regulated genes in black horses were related to tyrosine metabolism. Tyrosine is a precursor in the synthesis of melanin, the molecule responsible for pigmentation in skin, hair, and eyes, which might directly regulate dark coat color.

Conclusions

  • Other genes, including keratin genes, MIA family genes, fatty acid-related genes, and melanoma-associated genes were also differentially regulated, providing a wide range of potential gene-interactions to further explore if they have important roles in coat color formation.
  • This study not only helps to shed light on the complex genetic factors that influence horse coat color, but it also provides significant implications for understanding genetic elements of human skin diseases like melanoma and albinism.

Cite This Article

APA
Li B, He X, Zhao Y, Bai D, Shiraigo W, Zhao Q, Manglai D. (2017). Regulatory pathway analysis of coat color genes in Mongolian horses. Hereditas, 155, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-017-0048-y

Publication

Hereditas
ISSN: 1601-5223
NlmUniqueID: 0374654
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 155
Pages: 13
PII: 13

Researcher Affiliations

Li, Bei
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018 People's Republic of China.
He, Xiaolong
  • Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Huhhot, 010031 People's Republic of China.
Zhao, Yiping
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018 People's Republic of China.
Bai, Dongyi
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018 People's Republic of China.
Shiraigo, Wunierfu
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018 People's Republic of China.
Zhao, Qinan
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018 People's Republic of China.
Manglai, Dugarjaviin
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018 People's Republic of China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Fur
  • Animals
  • Color
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Horses / genetics
  • Melanins / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Skin Pigmentation / genetics
  • Transcriptome

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL: All animal experiments were conducted in accordance with the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee and Animal Care Guidelines of the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, which governed the use of experimental animals. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Xu Q, Liu X, Chao Z, Wang K, Wang J, Tang Q, Luo Y, Zheng J, Tan S, Fang M. Transcriptomic Analysis of Coding Genes and Non-Coding RNAs Reveals Complex Regulatory Networks Underlying the Black Back and White Belly Coat Phenotype in Chinese Wuzhishan Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2019 Mar 7;10(3).
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