Analysis of MC1R, MITF, TYR, TYRP1, and MLPH Genes Polymorphism in Four Rabbit Breeds with Different Coat Colors

Abstract

Pigmentation genes such as <i>MC1R, MITF, TYR, TYRP1</i>, and <i>MLPH</i> play a major role in rabbit coat color. To understand the genotypic profile underlying coat color in indigenous Chinese rabbit breeds, portions of the above-mentioned genes were amplified and variations in them were analyzed by DNA sequencing. Based on the analysis of 24 Tianfu black rabbits, 24 Sichuan white rabbits, 24 Sichuan gray rabbits, and 24 Fujian yellow rabbits, two indels in <i>MC1R</i>, three SNPs in <i>MITF</i>, five SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in <i>TYR</i>, one SNP in <i>TYRP1</i>, and three SNPs in <i>MLPH</i> were discovered. These variations have low-to-moderate polymorphism, and there are significant differences in their distribution among the different breeds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These results provide more information regarding the genetic background of these native rabbit breeds and reveal their high-quality genetic resources.