Polymorphisms in Melanocortin Receptor 1 Gene in Goat Breeds: A Window for Coat Color Controling Mechanism

Subject Areas : Camel

آ.  جوانمرد ¹ (Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran)
ب.  عارف نژاد ² (Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran)
ر.  عبداللهی آرپناهی ³ (Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran)
م.ح.  مرادی ⁴ (Departement of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak, Iran)

Received: 2014-11-26 Accepted : 2015-03-31 Published : 2015-12-01

Keywords: PCR-RFLP, coat color Melanocortin receptor 1, goat breed, specific phenotype,

Abstract :

The broad goal of this research was to examine the nature of the Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) locus on the coat color phenotype of seven goat breeds with different color coat. Blood samples were collected from five Iranian indigenous (Khalkhal, Markhor, Naeini, Najdi and Tali) and two exotic (Cashmere and Saanen) goat breeds. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and DNA sequencing were used to detect polymorphism of theMC1Rgene. Digestion of polymerase chain reaction products with EarI revealed two alleles of A and B and three genotypes of AA, AB and BB. The observed allele size was similar to previous reports. The genotype and gene frequencies for each breed were determined and shown to be variable among the breeds. In the goat breeds with black / brown coat color, AA genotype showed a higher frequency than white color goat breeds. In this aspect, Tali had only AA and AB genotypes and Cashmere had AB and BB genotypes. Comparison of genotype frequencies using χ2 test showed significant (P<0.01) differences between colored and white coat phenotypes. The Lys226Arg (A676G) mutation of the MC1R was verified by sequencing distinguished the B allele from the A allele. The phylogenetic tree also separated these breeds into two clusters, including exotic breeds with white / yellow coat color and indigenous breeds with black/brown phenotype. A replacement mutation was verified in Lys to Arg at position 676 bp. In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed the previous findings onMC1R gene as a useable tool for breed identification and white mohair marketing and production.

References:

Bemji M.N., Ogunjimi A.A., Ode A.J., Okediji S.R., Akinwunmi A.T., Sanyaolu T.O., Salawudeen B.S., Kelani B.A., Ogunsola A.O., Agunbiade M.O., Adenaike A.S. and Ogundiyi A.I. (2012). Prevalence of coat colour phenotypes in west African Dwarf sheep reared by small holder farmers in southwestern Nigeria. Am. J. Exp. Agric. 2(4), 587-596.

Carruthers C.R. (2009). Comparison of Canadian and international Angus cattle populations using gene variants and microsatellites. MS Thesis. University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Deng W.D., Shu W., Yang S.L., Shi X.W. and Mao H.M. ( 2009). Pigmentation in Black-boned sheep (Ovisaries): association with polymorphism of the MC1R gene. Mol . Biol. Rep. 36(3), 431-436.

Fang M., Larson G., Riberio H.S., Li N. and Andersson L. (2009). Contrasting mode of evolution at a coat color locus in wild and domestic pigs. PloS Genet. 5, 121-25.

Fontanesi L., Beretti F., Riggio V., Olio S.D., Calascibetta D.M., Russo V. and Portolano B. (2010). Sequence characterization of the Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene in sheep with different coat colours and identification of the putative allele at the ovine Extension locus. Small Rumin. Res. 91(2), 200-207.

Fontanesi L., Beretti F., Riggio V., OlioS.D., Gonzalez E.G., Finocchiaro R., Davoli R., Russo V. and Portolano B. (2009). Missense and nonsense mutations in Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene of different goat breeds: association with red and black coat colour phenotypes but with unexpected evidences. BMC Genetics. 10(47), 2-12.

Gandini G.C. and Villa E. (2003). Analysis of the cultural value of local livestock breeds: a methodology. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 120(1), 1-11.

Guo X., Li X., Li Y., Gu Z., Zheng C., Wei Z., Wang J., Zhou R., Li L. and Zheng H. (2010). Genetic variation of chicken MC1R gene in different plumage colour populations. Br. Polt. Sci. 51, 734-739.

Hepp D., Goncalves G.L., Moreira G.R.P., Freitas C.T.D., Weimer T.A. and Passos D.T. (2012). Identification of the e allele at the Extension locus (MC1R) in Brazilian Creole sheep and its role in wool color variation. Genet. Mol. Res. 11(3), 2997-3006.

Jinlong H., Hailong H., Pei W., Yangzhi Z. and Heng X. (2012). The association of MC1R gene with coat color of Banna Mini-Pig inbered line (BMI). J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 11(4), 503-508.

Makova K. and Norton H. (2005). Worldwide polymorphism at the MC1Rlocus and normal pigmentation variation in humans. Peptides. 26(10), 1901-1908.

Royo L.J., Alvarez I., Arranz J.J., Fernandez I., Rodriguez A., Perez-Pardal L. and Goyache F. (2008). Differences in the expression of the ASIP gene are involved in the recessive black coat colour pattern in sheep: evidence from the rare Xalda sheep breed. Anim. Genet. 39(3), 290-293.

Russo V., Fontanesi L., Scotti E., Tazzoli M., Dall'Olio S. and Davoli R. (2007). Analysis of Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R)gene polymorphisms in some cattle breeds: their usefulness and application for breed traceability and authentication of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Italian J. Anim. Sci. 6, 257-272.

Saadat-Noori M. and Siah-Mansoor S. (1987). Sheep Husbandry and Management. Asharfi Publication. Co. Tehran, Iran.

Vage D.I., Klungland H., Lu D. and Cone R.D. (1999). Molecular and pharmacological characterization of dominant black coat color in sheep.Mamm. Genome. 10(1), 39-43.

Vage D.I., Fleet M.R., Ponz R., Olsen R.T., Monteagudo L.V., Tejedor M.T., Arruga M.V., Gagliardi R., Postiglioni A., Nattrass G.S. and Klungland H. (2003). Mapping and characterization of the dominant black colour locus in sheep. Pig. Cell. Res. 16(6), 693-697.

Xi D., Liu Q., Huo Y., Sun Y., Leng J., Gou X., Mao H. and Deng W. (2012). Nucleotide diversity of the Melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) in the gayal (Bos frontalis). Mol. Biol. Res. 39(7), 7293-301.

Yeh F.C., Yang R.C. and Boyle T. (1997). Popgene: the User-friendly Shareware for Population Genetic Analysis. Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyCenter. University of Alberta, Canada.

Zeder M.A. (1994). Of kings and shepherds: specialized animal economy in Ur III Mesopotamia. WI: Prehistory Press. Madison, USA.

Zhao-Long W., Xiang-Long L., Yan-Qiang L., Yuan-Fang G., Zheng-Zhu L., Xiao-Juan W., Tian-Rong X. and Qing J. (2006). The red head and neck of Boer goats may be controlled by the recessive allele of the MC1R gene. Anim. Res. 55(4), 313-322.