CRY1 Gene Polymorphism and Racing Performance of Homing Pigeons.

Andrzej Dybus,Yu-Hsiang Yu,Ruben Lanckriet,Hanna Kulig,Witold Proskura,Yeong-Hsiang Cheng

doi:10.3390/ani11092632

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe aim of this study was to detect polymorphism in cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) gene and to estimate associations between genotypes and racing performance in homing pigeons. The AG to TT change in intron seven of CRY1 gene was detected and determined in 129 pigeons. A statistically significant relationship between genotypes and the results of racing was found. The results indicate the possibility of using this polymorphism as a genetic marker in pigeon breeding.Cryptochromes (CRY) are the family of proteins proposed as the putative magnetoreceptor molecules. In birds, among others in pigeons, CRY1 is widely expressed in a retina. Homing pigeons are known for their navigational abilities, and pigeon racing is a popular sport. So, the purpose of this study was to analyze the variability of the nucleotide sequence of the homing pigeon CRY1 gene, spanning the region coding the two amino acids W320 and W374 of Trp-triad, and estimate the relationship between genotypes and the racing performance. Investigations were carried out on 129 pigeons. Analysis of sequencing results indicated the AG to TT change within the seventh intron of CRY1 gene. Genotypes were determined by the forced PCR-RFLP method. The influence of detected polymorphism on the results of racing pigeons in 100–400 km flights was shown. The AG/TT individuals achieved significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) mean values of ace points (AP) than the AG/AG ones. Regarding the detected nucleotide change localization, the polymorphism may be involved in CRY1 gene expression modulation. The AG to TT change in CRY1 gene may be considered as a potential genetic marker of racing performance in homing pigeons.

Highlights

The phenomenon of magnetoreception in animals has fascinated the scientific world for many years
To TT change) in the analyzed amplicons that was located in intron seven of CRY1 gene (Figure 1)
In the course of forced PCR-RFLP, the following DNA restriction fragments were observed for the CRY1 gene AG to TT polymorphism (Gene ID: 102088263; g.31975-31976, AG > TT): 151 and 25 bp for the CRY1TT/TT genotype, 176, 151 and 25 bp for the CRY1AG/TT

Summary

Introduction

The phenomenon of magnetoreception in animals has fascinated the scientific world for many years. Birds are believed to have the ability to use the direction of the magnetic field lines as a “compass”, and the mentioned above radical pairs located in the eyes may play a key role. It seems that birds may be sensitive to changes in the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field as part of the navigational “map”, and that magnetite-based receptors located in the upper beak could be involved in this ability [8,9,10]. Current trends in magnetoreception research assume the existence of several proteins that can act as magnetoreceptors, and one of the main candidates seems to be cryptochromes (Cry) [3,11,12]

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