title: Genetic variations of the coding region of the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene in the fox.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene plays an important role in the control of coat colour in mammals. Genetic variation of the MC1R gene and the relationship between genotype and coat colour are not well understood. Studies in the fox may improve our understanding of gene influence on coat colour in dogs and cats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate coat colour associated mutations in the coding region of MC1R gene in foxes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 118 foxes, comprising 70 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (19 red, 10 white silver, 29 silver and 12 chocolate foxes) and 48 arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) (9 dominant white blue foxes and 39 normal blue foxes) were included in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of the DNA sequence of the coding region of MC1R gene and its polymorphisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight polymorphic sites (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) distributed throughout the 954-bp coding region of the fox MC1R gene were detected. Among them, c.13G>T, c.124A>G, c.289G>A, c.373T>C and c.839 T>G were mis-sense mutations, which resulted in codon change of p.G5C, p.N42D, p.V97I, p.C125R and p.F280C, respectively. Mutation and haplotype analysis indicated that c.373T>C was associated with black and brown pigmented phenotypes in foxes, and c.13G>T and c.839T>G were important in distinguishing V. lagopus and V. vulpes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SNP c.373T>C in the coding region of the MC1R gene is probably associated with the brown phenotype of chocolate foxes.
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Laboratory of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, 066004, Qinhuangdao, China.
authors.forename: Zhengzhu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Laboratory of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, 066004, Qinhuangdao, China.
authors.forename: Yuanfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Laboratory of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, 066004, Qinhuangdao, China.
authors.forename: Minshan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Laboratory of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, 066004, Qinhuangdao, China.
authors.forename: Lingxin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Laboratory of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, 066004, Qinhuangdao, China.
authors.forename: Yingjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Laboratory of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, 066004, Qinhuangdao, China.
authors.forename: Xianglong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005589:Foxes / Q000235:genetics*; D006197:Hair; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; D004247:DNA