Project description:we compared the skin transcriptomes of the black- and white-coated region from the Boer and Macheng Black crossbred goat with black head and white body using the Illumina RNA-Seq method. Six cDNA libraries derived from skin samples of the white coat region (n = 3) and black coat region (n = 3) were constructed from three full-sib goats. On average, we obtained approximately 76.5 and 73.5 million reads for each skin sample of black coat and white coat, respectively, of which 75.39% and 76.05% reads were covered in the genome database. Our study provides insight into the transcriptional regulation of two distinct coat color that might serve as a key resource for understanding coat color pigmentation of goat.
Project description:We apply developmental and single cell gene expression analysis to fetal skin of domestic cats, together with genetic characterization of Mendelian color variation, to identify when, where, and how, during fetal development, felid color patterns are established. Prior to the appearance of hair follicle placodes, we identify changes in epidermal thickness that represent a signature of color pattern establishment, and that are preceded by a pre-pattern of gene expression in which the secreted Wnt inhibitor encoded by Dickkopf 4 (Dkk4) plays a central role. We also demonstrate that mutations in Dkk4 underlie the Ticked pattern mutation in cats. Our results bring molecular understanding to how the leopard got its spots, suggest that similar mechanisms underlie periodic color pattern and periodic hair follicle spacing, and provide a genomic framework to explore natural selection for diverse pattern types in wild felids.
Project description:The inherent diversity of canines is closely intertwined with the unique color patterns of each dog population. These variations in color patterns are believed to have originated through mutations and selective breeding practices that occurred during and after the domestication of dogs from wolves. To address the significant gaps that persist in comprehending the evolutionary processes that underlie the development of these patterns, we generated and analyzed deep-sequenced genomes of 113 Korean indigenous Jindo dogs that represent five distinct color patterns to identify the associated mutations in CBD103, ASIP, and MC1R. The degree of linkage disequilibrium and estimated allelic ages consistently indicate that the black-and-tan dogs descend from the first major founding population on Jindo island, compatible with the documented literature. We additionally demonstrate that black-and-tan dogs, in contrast to other color variations within the breed, exhibit a closer genetic affinity to ancient wolves from western Eurasia than those from eastern Eurasia. Lastly, population-specific genetic variants with moderate effects were identified, particularly in loci associated with traits underlying body size and behavioral variations, potentially explaining the observed phenotypic diversity based on coat colors. Overall, comparisons of whole genome sequences of each coat color population diverged from the same breed provided an unprecedented glimpse into the properties of evolutionary processes maintaining variation in Korean Jindo dog populations that were previously inaccessible.
Project description:Deep sequencing of mRNA from 6 organs of yak (Bos grunniens) Analysis of ploy(A)+ RNA of brain,heart,liver,lung,spleen, and stomach of yak (Bos grunniens)
Project description:Coat color mainly reflects pigmentation resulting from melanin. Wool color is one of the most visible and heritable traits in sheep. Although several detailed molecular mechanisms involved in coat color have been elucidated, our understanding of differences in gene expression patterns of wool color-related genes in Chinese Merino (Junken type) is limited. We employed the Affymetrix microarray to identify differentially expressed genes. 122 genes were differentially expressed, consisting of 117 upregulated and 5 downregulated genes that were related to black/brown skin. The expression level of the BMP2, BMP4, TYRP1, LEPR, DCT, BMPR1A, and TP45A genes was validated by qRT-PCR, and the results coincided with those of microarray. The expression level of ASIP in the black/brown group was significantly lower than that of the white group, suggesting that this plays a key role in the regulation of wool pigmentation. Some cloned color genes (MITF, MC1R, GPR143, and KIT) showed no significant differences in expression levels between the black/brown- and white-skinned sheep. Functional annotation by using Gene Ontology (GO) showed that the differentially expressed genes enriched specific GO terms, particularly those relating to melanin biosynthesis and metabolic processes. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the categories of tyrosine metabolism and melanogenesis pathway were enriched with differentially expressed genes. Taken together, the present study has shown that the tyrosine metabolism pathway plays an essential role in regulating wool color. The findings of this study may also be utilized in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms and relationship between genes and wool color in Chinese Merino (Junken type). We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression and identified distinct different expression genes of skin in different coat color Chinese Merino (Junken type).
Project description:The genetic and developmental mechanisms that control the decision between scale and feather growth â two profoundly different epidermal appendages, and an important developmental shift in the evolution of birds from their dinosaurian ancestors â remain poorly understood. Domestic pigeons display dramatic variation in foot epidermal appendages within a single species, and classical studies suggest that a small number of genes control much of this variation; thus pigeons provide a tractable model to understand skin appendage specification and variation. Here we show that feathered feet in pigeons are the consequence of a partial transformation of limb-type identity mediated by cis-regulatory changes in the hindlimb-specific transcription factor Pitx1 and forelimb-specific transcription factor Tbx5. We also demonstrate that ectopic hindlimb expression of Tbx5 is associated with the development of foot feathers in domestic chickens, suggesting that similar developmental mechanisms underlie phenotypic convergence in avian lineages that diverged over 100 MYA. These results show how qualitative and quantitative changes in expression of regional patterning genes can generate localized changes in organ fate and morphology, and provide a viable molecular mechanism for the evolution of hindlimb scale and feather distribution in dromaeosaurs. Examination of H3K27ac status in embryonic limb buds from two domestic pigeon breeds, racing homer and Indian fantail
Project description:The coat color of mammals is determined by the melanogenesis pathway, which is responsible for maintaining the balance between black-brown eumelanin and yellow-reddish phaeomelanin. It is also believed that the color of the bovine nose is regulated in a similar manner; however, the molecular mechanism underlying pigment deposition in the black nose has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to identify melanogenesis-associated genes that are differentially expressed in the black vs. yellow nose of native Korean cows.