Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the endothelin receptor B subtype 2 (EDNRB2) gene on plumage coloration in mule ducks. Test mating (white Tsaiya × white Muscovy ducks) in combination with polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP) was performed to investigate the effect of non synonymous SNPs in two maternal lines (a conservation and a selection population) on plumage coloration in mule ducks. One non synonymous SNP (c.995G>A) was identified in white Muscovy ducks and white Tsaiya ducks by PCR high resolution melting (PCR HRM) and DNA sequencing. Genotyping results showed that the c.995G>A locus is associated with plumage colour in two maternal populations of white Tsaiya ducks. Further, the maternal genotype of c.995G>A SNP affects the plumage colour of mule ducks. Therefore, the polymorphisms within the EDNRB2 gene at c.995G>A in white Tsaiya ducks may be used in marker assisted selection to improve the plumage colour of mule ducks.
 Keywords: Muscovy drakes, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length, single nucleotide polymorphism, Tsaiya ducks
Highlights
Animal coats and plumage colour are influenced by melanocyte development, pigment production and pigment distribution (Emaresi et al, 2013)
The results showed that black plumage in mule ducks, which were produced by crossing conserved female Tsaiya ducks with Muscovy drakes, displayed a predominantly CC genotype of c.273C>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (Table 5)
The results revealed that black plumage in mule ducks displayed a predominant DI genotype of c.706delins SNP, while no distinct plumage colour distribution was found in mule ducks with DD genotype of c.706delins SNP (Table 5)
Summary
Animal coats and plumage colour are influenced by melanocyte development, pigment production and pigment distribution (Emaresi et al, 2013). Melanoblasts are able to migrate from the neural crest to the developing feather follicles of the epidermis and to differentiate into melanocytes (Mills et al, 2009). Endothelin receptor B subtype 2 (EDNRB2), a seven-transmembrane domain G-protein-coupled receptor, mainly regulates melanoblast differentiation and migration during melanocyte development (Pla & Larue 2003; Pla et al, 2005; Harris et al, 2008; Krispin et al, 2010; Nitzan et al, 2013). Abnormal regulation of the EDNRB2 gene in melanocyte development impairs pigment production and pigment distribution, leading to a white spotting phenotype in animals (Bennett et al, 2003; Miwa et al, 2006; Miwa et al, 2007; Hauswirth et al, 2012; Kinoshita et al, 2014)
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