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16 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fifteen Shades of Grey: Combined Analysis of Genome-Wide SNP Data in Steppe and Mediterranean Grey Cattle Sheds New Light on the Molecular Basis of Coat Color

by Gabriele Senczuk, Lorenzo Guerra, Salvatore Mastrangelo, Claudia Campobasso, Kaouadji Zoubeyda, Meghelli Imane, Donata Marletta, Szilvia Kusza, Taki Karsli, Semir Bachir Souheil Gaouar, Fabio Pilla, Elena Ciani and The Bovita Consortium

Genes 2020, 11(8), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11080932 - 13 Aug 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5662

Abstract

Coat color is among the most distinctive phenotypes in cattle. Worldwide, several breeds share peculiar coat color features such as the presence of a fawn pigmentation of the calf at birth, turning over time to grey, and sexual dichromatism. The aim of this [...] Read more.

Coat color is among the most distinctive phenotypes in cattle. Worldwide, several breeds share peculiar coat color features such as the presence of a fawn pigmentation of the calf at birth, turning over time to grey, and sexual dichromatism. The aim of this study was to search for polymorphisms under differential selection by contrasting grey cattle breeds displaying the above phenotype with non-grey cattle breeds, and to identify the underlying genes. Using medium-density SNP array genotype data, a multi-cohort F_ST-outlier approach was adopted for a total of 60 pair-wise comparisons of the 15 grey with 4 non-grey cattle breeds (Angus, Limousin, Charolais, and Holstein), with the latter selected as representative of solid and piebald phenotypes, respectively. Overall, more than 50 candidate genes were detected; almost all were either directly or indirectly involved in pigmentation, and some of them were already known for their role in phenotypes related with hair graying in mammals. Notably, 17 relevant genes, including SDR16C5, MOS, SDCBP, and NSMAF, were located in a signal on BTA14 convergently observed in all the four considered scenarios. Overall, the key stages of pigmentation (melanocyte development, melanogenesis, and pigment trafficking/transfer) were all represented among the pleiotropic functions of the candidate genes, suggesting the complex nature of the grey phenotype in cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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13 pages, 2740 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indication of Premelanosome Protein (PMEL) Expression Outside of Pigmented Bovine Skin Suggests Functions Beyond Eumelanogenesis

by Jacqueline Knaust, Rosemarie Weikard, Elke Albrecht, Ronald M. Brunner, Juliane Günther and Christa Kühn

Genes 2020, 11(7), 788; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11070788 - 13 Jul 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4622

Abstract

The premelanosome protein (PMEL) is important for fibril formation within melanosomes during vertebrate melanogenesis. Fibrils form a matrix for pigment deposition within pigmented tissues such as skin and hair. PMEL mutations are known to modulate eumelanic pigmentation in vertebrates. However, in bovines, PMEL [...] Read more.

The premelanosome protein (PMEL) is important for fibril formation within melanosomes during vertebrate melanogenesis. Fibrils form a matrix for pigment deposition within pigmented tissues such as skin and hair. PMEL mutations are known to modulate eumelanic pigmentation in vertebrates. However, in bovines, PMEL mutations were also found to alter pheomelanic pigmentation resulting in coat color dilution. Furthermore, epistatic effects of a mutated PMEL allele were detected in the phenotypic expression of the bovine hair defect “rat-tail syndrome” (RTS) characterized by charcoal coat color and hair deformation. Reports about PMEL gene expression in non-pigmented tissues raised the hypothesis that there may be unknown functions of the PMEL protein beyond eumelanin deposition to PMEL fibrils. In our study, we analysed the PMEL protein expression in pigmented skin and non-pigmented bovine tissues (non-pigmented skin, thyroid gland, rumen, liver, kidney, and adrenal gland cortex). We found that a processed form of the bovine PMEL protein is expressed in pigmented as well as in non-pigmented tissues, which is in line with gene expression data from targeted RT-PCR and whole transcriptome RNAseq analysis. The PMEL protein is located in membranes and within the cytosol of epithelial cells. Based on our data from bovine tissues, we concluded that at least in cattle PMEL potentially has additional, yet unexplored functions, which might contribute to effects of PMEL mutations on pheomelanin coat color dilution and charcoal coat color in RTS animals. However, indication of PMEL protein in unpigmented cells and tissues will require further confirmation in the future, because there have been no confirmed reports before, which had detected bovine PMEL protein with specific antibodies either in pigmented or unpigmented tissue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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12 pages, 876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atypical Genotypes for Canine Agouti Signaling Protein Suggest Novel Chromosomal Rearrangement

by Dayna L. Dreger, Heidi Anderson, Jonas Donner, Jessica A. Clark, Arlene Dykstra, Angela M. Hughes and Kari J. Ekenstedt

Genes 2020, 11(7), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11070739 - 3 Jul 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 12202

Abstract

Canine coat color is a readily observed phenotype of great interest to dog enthusiasts; it is also an excellent avenue to explore the mechanisms of genetics and inheritance. As such, multiple commercial testing laboratories include basic color alleles in their popular screening panels, [...] Read more.

Canine coat color is a readily observed phenotype of great interest to dog enthusiasts; it is also an excellent avenue to explore the mechanisms of genetics and inheritance. As such, multiple commercial testing laboratories include basic color alleles in their popular screening panels, allowing for the creation of genotyped datasets at a scale not before appreciated in canine genetic research. These vast datasets have revealed rare genotype anomalies that encourage further exploration of color and pattern inheritance. We previously reported the simultaneous presence of greater than two allele variants at the Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) locus in a commercial genotype cohort of 11,790 canids. Here we present additional data to characterize the occurrence of anomalous ASIP genotypes. We document the detection of combinations of three or four ASIP allele variants in 17 dog breeds and Dingoes, at within-breed frequencies of 1.32–63.34%. We analyze the potential impact on phenotype that these allele combinations present, and propose mechanisms that could account for the findings, including: gene recombination, duplication, and incorrect causal variant identification. These findings speak to the accuracy of industry-wide protocols for commercial ASIP genotyping and imply that ASIP should be analyzed via haplotype, rather than using only the existing allele hierarchy, in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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15 pages, 4361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Werewolf, There Wolf: Variants in Hairless Associated with Hypotrichia and Roaning in the Lykoi Cat Breed

by Reuben M. Buckley, Barbara Gandolfi, Erica K. Creighton, Connor A. Pyne, Delia M. Bouhan, Michelle L. LeRoy, David A. Senter, Johnny R. Gobble, Marie Abitbol, Leslie A. Lyons and 99 Lives Consortium

Genes 2020, 11(6), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060682 - 22 Jun 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 15083

Abstract

A variety of cat breeds have been developed via novelty selection on aesthetic, dermatological traits, such as coat colors and fur types. A recently developed breed, the lykoi (a.k.a. werewolf cat), was bred from cats with a sparse hair coat with roaning, implying [...] Read more.

A variety of cat breeds have been developed via novelty selection on aesthetic, dermatological traits, such as coat colors and fur types. A recently developed breed, the lykoi (a.k.a. werewolf cat), was bred from cats with a sparse hair coat with roaning, implying full color and all white hairs. The lykoi phenotype is a form of hypotrichia, presenting as a significant reduction in the average numbers of follicles per hair follicle group as compared to domestic shorthair cats, a mild to severe perifollicular to mural lymphocytic infiltration in 77% of observed hair follicle groups, and the follicles are often miniaturized, dilated, and dysplastic. Whole genome sequencing was conducted on a single lykoi cat that was a cross between two independently ascertained lineages. Comparison to the 99 Lives dataset of 194 non-lykoi cats suggested two variants in the cat homolog for Hairless (HR) (HR lysine demethylase and nuclear receptor corepressor) as candidate causal gene variants. The lykoi cat was a compound heterozygote for two loss of function variants in HR, an exon 3 c.1255_1256dupGT (chrB1:36040783), which should produce a stop codon at amino acid 420 (p.Gln420Serfs*100) and, an exon 18 c.3389insGACA (chrB1:36051555), which should produce a stop codon at amino acid position 1130 (p.Ser1130Argfs*29). Ascertainment of 14 additional cats from founder lineages from Canada, France and different areas of the USA identified four additional loss of function HR variants likely causing the highly similar phenotypic hair coat across the diverse cats. The novel variants in HR for cat hypotrichia can now be established between minor differences in the phenotypic presentations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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9 pages, 730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Agouti-Signaling-Protein Mutation is Strongly Associated with Melanism in European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

by Monika Reissmann, Walburga Lutz, Dietmar Lieckfeldt, Edson Sandoval-Castellanos and Arne Ludwig

Genes 2020, 11(6), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060647 - 11 Jun 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5541

Abstract

Although the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population of North-West Germany has a remarkable number of melanistic specimens between 10% and 25%, the underlying genetic mutation-causing melanism is still unknown. We used a gene targeting approach focusing on MC1R and ASIP [...] Read more.

Although the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population of North-West Germany has a remarkable number of melanistic specimens between 10% and 25%, the underlying genetic mutation-causing melanism is still unknown. We used a gene targeting approach focusing on MC1R and ASIP as important genes of coat coloration. Overall, 1384 bp of MC1R and 2039 bp of ASIP were sequenced in 24 specimens and several SNPs were detected. But only the ASIP-SNP c.33G>T completely segregated both phenotypes leading to the amino acid substitution p.Leu11Phe. The SNP was further evaluated in additional 471 samples. Generally, all black specimens (n = 33) were homozygous TT, whereas chestnut individuals were either homozygote GG (n = 436) or heterozygote GT (n = 26). Considering the fact that all melanistic animals shared two mutated alleles of the strongly associated SNP, we concluded that melanism is inherited in a recessive mode in European roe deer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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9 pages, 2405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Third MLPH Variant Causing Coat Color Dilution in Dogs

by Samantha L. Van Buren, Katie M. Minor, Robert A. Grahn, James R. Mickelson, Jennifer C. Grahn, Julia Malvick, Jennifer R. Colangelo, Elisabeth Mueller, Petra Kuehnlein and Alexandra Kehl

Genes 2020, 11(6), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060639 - 10 Jun 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 12090

Abstract

Altered melanosome transport in melanocytes, resulting from variants in the melanophilin (MLPH) gene, are associated with inherited forms of coat color dilution in many species. In dogs, the MLPH gene corresponds to the D locus and two variants, c.−22G > A [...] Read more.

Altered melanosome transport in melanocytes, resulting from variants in the melanophilin (MLPH) gene, are associated with inherited forms of coat color dilution in many species. In dogs, the MLPH gene corresponds to the D locus and two variants, c.−22G > A (d¹) and c.705G > C (d²), leading to the dilution of coat color, as described. Here, we describe the independent investigations of dogs whose coat color dilution could not be explained by known variants, and who report a third MLPH variant, (c.667_668insC) (d³), which leads to a frameshift and premature stop codon (p.His223Profs*41). The d³ allele is found at low frequency in multiple dog breeds, as well as in wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, and indigenous dogs. Canids in which the d³ allele contributed to the grey (dilute) phenotype were d¹/d³ compound heterozygotes or d³ homozygotes, and all non-dilute related dogs had one or two D alleles, consistent with a recessive inheritance. Similar to other loci responsible for coat colors in dogs, this, alongside likely additional allelic heterogeneity at the D locus, or other loci, must be considered when performing and interpreting genetic testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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8 pages, 843 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Brown Coat Color (Cocoa) in French Bulldogs Results from a Nonsense Variant in HPS3

by Sarah Kiener, Alexandra Kehl, Robert Loechel, Ines Langbein-Detsch, Elisabeth Müller, Danika Bannasch, Vidhya Jagannathan and Tosso Leeb

Genes 2020, 11(6), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060636 - 9 Jun 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8008

Abstract

Brown or chocolate coat color in many mammalian species is frequently due to variants at the B locus or TYRP1 gene. In dogs, five different TYRP1 loss-of-function alleles have been described, which explain the vast majority of dogs with brown coat color. Recently, [...] Read more.

Brown or chocolate coat color in many mammalian species is frequently due to variants at the B locus or TYRP1 gene. In dogs, five different TYRP1 loss-of-function alleles have been described, which explain the vast majority of dogs with brown coat color. Recently, breeders and genetic testing laboratories identified brown French Bulldogs that did not carry any of the known mutant TYRP1 alleles. We sequenced the genome of a TYRP1^+/+ brown French Bulldog and compared the data to 655 other canine genomes. A search for private variants revealed a nonsense variant in HPS3, c.2420G>A or p.(Trp807*). The brown dog was homozygous for the mutant allele at this variant. The HPS3 gene encodes a protein required for the correct biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles, including melanosomes. Variants in the human HPS3 gene cause Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome 3, which involves a mild form of oculocutaneous albinism and prolonged bleeding time. A variant in the murine Hps3 gene causes brown coat color in the cocoa mouse mutant. We genotyped a cohort of 373 French Bulldogs and found a strong association of the homozygous mutant HPS3 genotype with the brown coat color. The genotype–phenotype association and the comprehensive knowledge on HPS3 function from other species strongly suggests that HPS3:c.2420G>A is the causative variant for the observed brown coat color in French Bulldogs. In order to clearly distinguish HPS3-related from the TYRP1-related brown coat color, and in line with the murine nomenclature, we propose to designate this dog phenotype as “cocoa”, and the mutant allele as HPS3^co. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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8 pages, 1795 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Stop-Gain Mutation within MLPH Is Responsible for the Lilac Dilution Observed in Jacob Sheep

by Christian J. Posbergh, Elizabeth A. Staiger and Heather J. Huson

Genes 2020, 11(6), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060618 - 4 Jun 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5035

Abstract

A coat color dilution, called lilac, was observed within the Jacob sheep breed. This dilution results in sheep appearing gray, where black would normally occur. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance. Whole-genome sequencing of a dilute case, a known carrier, and sixteen [...] Read more.

A coat color dilution, called lilac, was observed within the Jacob sheep breed. This dilution results in sheep appearing gray, where black would normally occur. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance. Whole-genome sequencing of a dilute case, a known carrier, and sixteen non-dilute sheep was used to identify the molecular variant responsible for the coat color change. Through investigation of the genes MLPH, MYO5A, and RAB27A, we discovered a nonsynonymous mutation within MLPH, which appeared to match the reported autosomal recessive nature of the lilac dilution. This mutation (NC_019458.2:g.3451931C>A) results in a premature stop codon being introduced early in the protein (NP_001139743.1:p.Glu14*), likely losing its function. Validation testing of additional lilac Jacob sheep and known carriers, unrelated to the original case, showed a complete concordance between the mutation and the dilution. This stop-gain mutation is likely the causative mutation for dilution within Jacob sheep. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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13 pages, 1404 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Independent Locus Upstream of ASIP Controls Variation in the Shade of the Bay Coat Colour in Horses

by Laura J. Corbin, Jessica Pope, Jacqueline Sanson, Douglas F. Antczak, Donald Miller, Raheleh Sadeghi and Samantha A. Brooks

Genes 2020, 11(6), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060606 - 30 May 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6498

Abstract

Novel coat colour phenotypes often emerge during domestication, and there is strong evidence of genetic selection for the two main genes that control base coat colour in horses—ASIP and MC1R. These genes direct the type of pigment produced, red pheomelanin ( [...] Read more.

Novel coat colour phenotypes often emerge during domestication, and there is strong evidence of genetic selection for the two main genes that control base coat colour in horses—ASIP and MC1R. These genes direct the type of pigment produced, red pheomelanin (MC1R) or black eumelanin (ASIP), as well as the relative concentration and the temporal–spatial distribution of melanin pigment deposits in the skin and hair coat. Here, we describe a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify novel genic regions involved in the determination of the shade of bay. In total, 126 horses from five different breeds were ranked according to the extent of the distribution of eumelanin: spanning variation in phenotype from black colour restricted only to the extremities to the presence of some black pigment across nearly all the body surface. We identified a single region associated with the shade of bay ranking spanning approximately 0.5 MB on ECA22, just upstream of the ASIP gene (p = 9.76 × 10⁻¹⁵). This candidate region encompasses the distal 5′ end of the ASIP transcript (as predicted from other species) as well as the RALY gene. Both loci are viable candidates based on the presence of similar alleles in other species. These results contribute to the growing understanding of coat colour genetics in the horse and to the mapping of genetic determinants of pigmentation on a molecular level. Given pleiotropic phenotypes in behaviour and obesity for ASIP alleles, especially those in the 5′ regulatory region, improved understanding of this new Shade allele may have implications for health management in the horse. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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12 pages, 4106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of POU2F1 Gene and Its Potential Impact on the Expression of Genes Involved in Fur Color Formation in Rex Rabbit

by Naisu Yang, Bohao Zhao, Shuaishuai Hu, Zhiyuan Bao, Ming Liu, Yang Chen and Xinsheng Wu

Genes 2020, 11(5), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11050575 - 20 May 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3625

Abstract

The naturally colorful fur of the Rex rabbit is becoming increasingly popular in the modern textile market. Our previous study found that POU class 2 homeobox 1 gene (POU2F1) potentially affects the expression of genes involved in fur color formation in [...] Read more.

The naturally colorful fur of the Rex rabbit is becoming increasingly popular in the modern textile market. Our previous study found that POU class 2 homeobox 1 gene (POU2F1) potentially affects the expression of genes involved in fur color formation in the Rex rabbit, but the function and regulation of POU2F1 has not been reported. In this study, the expression patterns of POU2F1 in Rex rabbits of various colors, as well as in different organs, were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Interference and overexpression of POU2F1 were used to identify the potential effects of POU2F1 on other genes related to fur color formation. The results show that the levels of POU2F1 expression were significantly higher in the dorsal skin of the brown and protein yellow Rex rabbits, compared with that of the black one. POU2F1 mRNAs were widespread in the tissues examined in this study and showed the highest level in the lungs. By transfecting rabbit melanocytes with an POU2F1-overexpression plasmid, we found that the POU2F1 protein was located at the nucleus, and the protein showed the classic characteristics of a transcription factor. In addition, abnormal expression of POU2F1 significantly affected the expression of pigmentation-related genes, including SLC7A11, MITF, SLC24A5, MC1R, and ASIP, revealing the regulatory roles of POU2F1 on pigmentation. The results provide the basis for further exploration of the role of POU2F1 in fur color formation of the Rex rabbit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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13 pages, 2581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pigment Intensity in Dogs is Associated with a Copy Number Variant Upstream of KITLG

by Kalie Weich, Verena Affolter, Daniel York, Robert Rebhun, Robert Grahn, Angelica Kallenberg and Danika Bannasch

Genes 2020, 11(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11010075 - 9 Jan 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 19551 | Correction

Abstract

Dogs exhibit a wide variety of coat color types, and many genes have been identified that control pigment production, appearance, and distribution. Some breeds, such as the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR), exhibit variation in pheomelanin pigment intensity that is not explained [...] Read more.

Dogs exhibit a wide variety of coat color types, and many genes have been identified that control pigment production, appearance, and distribution. Some breeds, such as the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR), exhibit variation in pheomelanin pigment intensity that is not explained by known genetic variants. A genome-wide association study comparing light red to dark red in the NSDTR identified a significantly associated region on canine chromosome 15 (CFA 15:23 Mb–38 Mb). Coverage analysis of whole genome sequence data from eight dogs identified a 6 kb copy number variant (CNV) 152 kb upstream of KITLG. Genotyping with digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) confirmed a significant association between an increased copy number with the dark-red coat color in NSDTR (p = 6.1 × 10⁻⁷). The copy number of the CNV was also significantly associated with coat color variation in both eumelanin and pheomelanin-based Poodles (p = 1.5 × 10⁻⁸, 4.0 × 10⁻⁹) and across other breeds. Moreover, the copy number correlated with pigment intensity along the hair shaft in both pheomelanin and eumelanin coats. KITLG plays an important role in melanogenesis, and variants upstream of KITLG have been associated with coat color variation in mice as well as hair color in humans consistent with its role in the domestic dog. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

15 pages, 2246 KiB

Open AccessReview

Being Merle: The Molecular Genetic Background of the Canine Merle Mutation

by László Varga, Xénia Lénárt, Petra Zenke, László Orbán, Péter Hudák, Nóra Ninausz, Zsófia Pelles and Antal Szőke

Genes 2020, 11(6), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060660 - 17 Jun 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 11162

Abstract

The intensity of the merle pattern is determined by the length of the poly(A) tail of a repeat element which has been inserted into the boundary of intron 10 and exon 11 of the PMEL17 locus in reverse orientation. This poly(A) tail behaves [...] Read more.

The intensity of the merle pattern is determined by the length of the poly(A) tail of a repeat element which has been inserted into the boundary of intron 10 and exon 11 of the PMEL17 locus in reverse orientation. This poly(A) tail behaves as a microsatellite, and due to replication slippage, longer and shorter alleles of it might be generated during cell divisions. The length of the poly(A) tail regulates the splicing mechanism. In the case of shorter tails, the removal of intron 10 takes place at the original splicing, resulting in a normal premelanosome protein (PMEL). Longer tails generate larger insertions, forcing splicing to a cryptic splice site, thereby coding for an abnormal PMEL protein, which is unable to form the normal fibrillar matrix of the eumelanosomes. Thus, eumelanin deposition ensuring the dark color formation is reduced. In summary, the longer the poly(A) tail, the lighter the coat color intensity of the melanocytes. These mutations can occur in the somatic cells and the resulting cell clones will shape the merle pattern of the coat. When they take place in the germ line, they occasionally produce offspring with unexpected color variations which are different from those of their parents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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3 pages, 175 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Weich, K., et al. Pigment Intensity in Dogs Is Associated with a Copy Number Variant Upstream of KITLG. Genes 2020, 11, 75

by Danika L. Bannasch, Verena K. Affolter, Daniel York, Robert B. Rebhun, Robert A. Grahn, Kalie M. Weich and Angelica Kallenberg

Genes 2021, 12(3), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12030357 - 1 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2312

Abstract

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

8 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Coat Color Roan Shows Association with KIT Variants and No Evidence of Lethality in Icelandic Horses

by Katharina Voß, Julia Tetens, Georg Thaller and Doreen Becker

Genes 2020, 11(6), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060680 - 22 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7606

Abstract

Roan (Rn) horses show a typical seasonal change of color. Their body is covered with colored and white hair. We performed a descriptive statistical analysis of breeding records of Icelandic horses to challenge the hypothesis of roan being lethal in utero under homozygous [...] Read more.

Roan (Rn) horses show a typical seasonal change of color. Their body is covered with colored and white hair. We performed a descriptive statistical analysis of breeding records of Icelandic horses to challenge the hypothesis of roan being lethal in utero under homozygous condition. The roan to non-roan ratio of foals from roan × roan matings revealed homozygous roan Icelandic horses to be viable. Even though roan is known to be inherited in a dominant mode and epistatic to other coat colors, the causative mutation is still unknown. Nevertheless, an association between roan phenotype and the KIT gene was shown for different horse breeds. In the present study, we identified KIT variants by Sanger sequencing, and show that KIT is also associated with roan in the Icelandic horse breed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coat Color Genetics)

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