Transcriptome Comparison Reveals Key Components of Nuptial Plumage Coloration in Crested Ibis.

ABSTRACT: Nuptial plumage coloration is critical in the mating choice of the crested ibis. This species has a characteristic nuptial plumage that develops from the application of a black sticky substance, secreted by a patch of skin in the throat and neck region. We aimed to identify the genes regulating its coloring, by comparing skin transcriptomes between ibises during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. In breeding season skins, key eumelanin synthesis genes, TYR, DCT, and TYRP1 were upregulated. Tyrosine metabolism, which is closely related to melanin synthesis, was also upregulated, as were transporter proteins belonging to multiple SLC families, which might act during melanosome transportation to keratinocytes. These results indicate that eumelanin is likely an i

SUBMITTER: Sun L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7356354 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature