Understanding key genetic make-up of different coat colour in Bayinbuluke sheep through a comparative transcriptome profiling analysis

Abstract

Coat color is a distinctive feature of mammals, especially in distinguishing animal breeds, and the diversity of animal coat color provides an important model phenotype for exploring gene roles and studying gene mutations. Selective breeding programs can be used to enhance or modify certain physical traits in Bayinbuluke sheep, including their coat color. To elaborately understand the differential expression of coat tissue of Bayinbuluke sheep with respect to coat colour and genetic make ups, the molecular mechanism of the difference in coat color phenotype of the sheep's head and neck was explored through RT-PCR assay based transcriptomic analysis. In this study, sixteen samples of coat tissues of 8 individuals Bayinbuluke sheep with different hair colors were collected for transcriptome sequencing analysis, and the differential expression genes of MEwhite module in BL vs BR group and WGCNA were analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Gene Encyclopedia enrichment, and the results were significantly enriched in G protein-coupled receptor, transmembrane signaling receptor activity, tyrosine metabolism, melanin production and other metabolic pathways. The identified DCT, ASIP, GPR143, PMEL, TYRP1 and MC1R genes Bayinbuluke sheep coat have all been linked with important roles in the regulation of melanin synthesis as immune stability. Therefore, understanding the genetic and molecular basis of these pathways can help in developing novel approaches in sheep coat colour as well as improved sheep immunity.