Genetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying webbed feet pigmentation in geese: Insights from histological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses.

ABSTRACT: This study systematically investigated the genetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying pigmentation in goose webbed feet by integrating histological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Histological examinations revealed significant differences in melanin deposition among webbed feet of varying colors. Dark black webbed feet exhibited the highest melanin content, light black webbed feet showed moderate levels, and colorless webbed feet lacked detectable melanin. Transcriptomic analysis identified substantial variations in the expression levels of key genes involved in melanin biosynthesis, including TYRP1, PMEL, DCT, TYR, OCA2, MC1R, RAB38, WNT16, CAMK2A, and MLANA, between pigmented and colorless webbed feet. Notably, the OCA2 gene exhibited significantly higher expression in dark b

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12142325 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature