Mapping and characterization of the dominant black colour locus in sheep.
Dominant black pigment synthesis in sheep is caused by alterations of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1-R) coding sequence. Using five bovine microsatellite markers we have mapped the sheep MC1-R gene to chromosome 14, corresponding to the location in other mammalian species. The existence of two independent mutations, both causing an amino acid substitution, in distantly related breeds of sheep, support the hypothesis that the observed black pigment synthesis is caused by a mutual effect of the two mutations. As similar mutations are found separately at both locations in dominant black variants of other animal species, it is also possible that any of the two mutations could be sufficient for a partial pigment switch.
Våge
Dag Inge
DI
Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Norway, As, Norway.
Fleet
Malcolm R
MR
Ponz
Ricardo
R
Olsen
Ranveig T
RT
Monteagudo
Luis V
LV
Tejedor
Maria Teresa
MT
Arruga
Maria Victoria
MV
Gagliardi
Rosa
R
Postiglioni
Alicia
A
Nattrass
Greg S
GS
Klungland
Helge
H
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000235:genetics*
D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1