Transcriptional and Metabolic Networks Underlying Melanin Deposition in Silkie Chicken Muscle: A Multi-Omics Insights.

ABSTRACT: Silkie (SK) chickens, valued for dark meat, serve as a model to study melanin deposition in muscle. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics of SK vs. Arbor Acres (AA) broiler pectoralis were used to identify key molecular drivers of meat color. All birds were cage-raised under standardized temperature and light conditions with free access to feed and water. Pectoralis muscle samples were collected from 24-day-old healthy SK and AA chickens (n = 6). Transcriptome profiling identified 488 differentially expressed genes in SK chickens, with seven conserved melanogenesis genes (TYRP1, MLANA, TYR, MLPH, EDNRB2, PMEL, GPNMB) consistently upregulated across dark-pectoralis breeds, and melanogenesis and WNT pathways were activated. Co-exp

SUBMITTER: Pan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12837500 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature