The expression of KRT2 and its effect on melanogenesis in alpaca skins.
In order to investigate the effects of the keratin 2 (KRT2) on alpaca melanocyte in vivo and vitro, the immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and alpaca melanocytes transfection methods were used. The results showed that mRNA and protein expression of KRT2 was highly expressed in brown skin in comparison with that in white skin. Moreover, we found that KRT2 was expressed in alpaca melanocytes in vitro by immunocytochemistry. After transfection with KRT2 in alpaca melanocytes, the relative mRNA and protein expression of KRT2, microphthalmia-associtated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) in alpaca skin melanocytes was increased with significant differences; a further result was the increase of melanin production. The results suggested that KRT2 functions in alpaca hair color formation, which offered an essential theoretical basis for further exploration of the role of melanogenesis.
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China.
Yucong
Y
Cui
Tianshui Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Gansu, 741020, PR China.
Yajun
Y
Song
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China.
Qingling
Q
Geng
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China.
Zengfeng
Z
Ding
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China.
Yilong
Y
Qin
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China.
Ruiwen
R
Fan
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China.
Changsheng
C
Dong
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, PR China. Electronic address: sxndgjj@126.com.
Jianjun
J
Geng
D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World; D015870:Gene Expression; D006200:Hair Color; D053557:Keratin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation
D053557:Keratin-2; D008543:Melanins
Alpaca; Hair color; KRT2; Melanocyte; Skin