Project description:The Sex-linked orange mutation in domestic cats causes variegated patches of reddish/yellow hair and is a defining signature of random X-inactivation in female tortoiseshell and calico cats. Unlike the situation for most coat color genes, there is no apparent homolog for Sex-linked orange in other mammals. We show that Sex-linked orange is caused by a 5 kb deletion that leads to ectopic and melanocyte-specific expression of the Rho GTPase Activating Protein 36 (Arhgap36) gene. Single cell RNA-seq studies from fetal cat skin reveal that red/yellow hair color is caused by reduced expression of melanogenic genes that are normally activated by the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r)—cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)—protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, but Mc1r and its ability to stimulate cAMP accumulation is intact. Instead, we show that expression of Arhgap36 in melanocytes leads to reduced levels of the PKA catalytic subunit (PKAC); thus, Sex-linked orange is genetically and biochemically downstream of Mc1r. Our findings resolve a longstanding comparative genetic puzzle, provide in vivo evidence for the ability of Arhgap36 to inhibit PKA, and reveal a molecular explanation for a charismatic color pattern with a rich genetic history.
Project description:The Sex-linked orange mutation in domestic cats causes variegated patches of reddish/yellow hair and is a defining signature of random X-inactivation in female tortoiseshell and calico cats. Unlike the situation for most coat color genes, there is no apparent homolog for Sex-linked orange in other mammals. We show that Sex-linked orange is caused by a 5 kb deletion that leads to ectopic and melanocyte-specific expression of the Rho GTPase Activating Protein 36 (Arhgap36) gene. Single cell RNA-seq studies from fetal cat skin reveal that red/yellow hair color is caused by reduced expression of melanogenic genes that are normally activated by the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r)—cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)—protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, but Mc1r and its ability to stimulate cAMP accumulation is intact. Instead, we show that expression of Arhgap36 in melanocytes leads to reduced levels of the PKA catalytic subunit (PKAC); thus, Sex-linked orange is genetically and biochemically downstream of Mc1r. Our findings resolve a longstanding comparative genetic puzzle, provide in vivo evidence for the ability of Arhgap36 to inhibit PKA, and reveal a molecular explanation for a charismatic color pattern with a rich genetic history.
Project description:Coat color mainly reflects pigmentation resulting from melanin. Wool color is one of the most visible and heritable traits in sheep. Although several detailed molecular mechanisms involved in coat color have been elucidated, our understanding of differences in gene expression patterns of wool color-related genes in Chinese Merino (Junken type) is limited. We employed the Affymetrix microarray to identify differentially expressed genes. 122 genes were differentially expressed, consisting of 117 upregulated and 5 downregulated genes that were related to black/brown skin. The expression level of the BMP2, BMP4, TYRP1, LEPR, DCT, BMPR1A, and TP45A genes was validated by qRT-PCR, and the results coincided with those of microarray. The expression level of ASIP in the black/brown group was significantly lower than that of the white group, suggesting that this plays a key role in the regulation of wool pigmentation. Some cloned color genes (MITF, MC1R, GPR143, and KIT) showed no significant differences in expression levels between the black/brown- and white-skinned sheep. Functional annotation by using Gene Ontology (GO) showed that the differentially expressed genes enriched specific GO terms, particularly those relating to melanin biosynthesis and metabolic processes. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the categories of tyrosine metabolism and melanogenesis pathway were enriched with differentially expressed genes. Taken together, the present study has shown that the tyrosine metabolism pathway plays an essential role in regulating wool color. The findings of this study may also be utilized in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms and relationship between genes and wool color in Chinese Merino (Junken type). We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression and identified distinct different expression genes of skin in different coat color Chinese Merino (Junken type).
Project description:Histone modifications and CTCF mark the locations of genomic regulatory regions -- including promoters, enhancers, and insulators -- and have not been previously annotated for the domestic cat genome. Understanding where non-coding sequence variants fall in relation to regulatory regions is vital for determining their impact on gene function and their ability to cause disease. The addition of replicated feline ChIP-seq data from multiple tissues will aid in interpretation of non-coding variants, furthering characterization of genetic diseases and genetic test development.
Project description:Boihai Red is new strains of inter-specific hybridizing the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians irradians) with the Peruvian scallop (Argopecten purpuratus). Orange color variant of adductor muscle have been developed through successive selective breeding in this strain. In the present study,proteomic were conducted on orange and white adductor muscle tissues.Notably, 74 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified by lable free proteomics, including 36 up and 38 down regulated. In DEGs, apolipophorin, CYP450 and tyrosinase were expressed highly in orange adductor muscle tissues, which related to carotenoids or melanin. In DEPs, high expression of VPS and TIF in orange adductor muscle tissues indicated that proteins outside the carotenoid pathway might also affect carotenoid biosynthesis. In addition, RAB11A related to melanin was also expressed highly in orange adductor muscle tissues at protein level. It is probable that not only carotenoids, but also melanin act on orange color of adductor muscle. This study provides valuable genetic resources for understanding underlying mechanisms and pathways of adductor muscle color.
Project description:The domestic cat germinal vesicle (GV), which is physiologically similar to the human GV, gains the intrinsic ability to resume meiosis and support early embryo development during the pre-antral-to-antral follicle transition. However, little is known about nuclear proteins that contribute to this developmental process. We performed proteomic analysis of GVs identified candidate proteins for oocyte competence acquisition.
Project description:Boihai Red is new strains of inter-specific hybridizing the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians irradians) with the Peruvian scallop (Argopecten purpuratus). Orange color variant of adductor muscle have been developed through successive selective breeding in this strain. In the present study, transcriptomic was conducted on orange and white adductor muscle tissues. Transcriptomic analysis showeds 416 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between white and orange adductor muscle tissues in Boihai Red Scallop, with 216 up regulated and 200 down. In DEGs, apolipophorin, CYP450 and tyrosinase were expressed highly in orange adductor muscle tissues, which related to carotenoids or melanin. It is probable that not only carotenoids, but also melanin act on orange color of adductor muscle. This study provides valuable genetic resources for understanding underlying mechanisms and pathways of adductor muscle color.