title: Characterization of the porcine KIT ligand gene: expression analysis, genomic structure, polymorphism detection and association with coat colour traits.
abstract: Kit ligand (KITLG) is the ligand for the type III receptor tyrosine kinase KIT. Studies of the KIT/KITLG pathway in a number of mammalian species have shown that it is important for the development of stem cell populations in haematopoietic tissues, germ cells in reproductive organs and the embryonic migrating melanoblasts that give rise to melanocytes. Consequently, mutations in the pathway may result in a range of defects including anaemia, sterility and de-pigmentation. The cDNA sequence of the porcine KITLG gene has been reported previously, and is an attractive candidate locus for moderating coat colour in pigs. In this paper we report the gene structure and physical mapping of the porcine gene. We also report the identification of polymorphisms in the gene, one of which was used to confirm linkage to chromosome 5. Preliminary RNA expression studies using a panel of tissues have shown that in addition to the known variant lacking exon 6, there is alternative splicing of exon 4. However, little evidence was found for the KITLG gene being linked to variation in colour in a Meishan x Large White cross.
authors.affiliation: Andreou & Costi Ltd (Pig Farms), PO Box 40451, 6304 Larnaca, Cyprus.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hadjiconstantouras
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Archibald
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Plastow
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005091:Exons; D015870:Gene Expression; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D016678:Genome; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics*; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D020161:Physical Chromosome Mapping; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D019089:Stem Cell Factor