Relation of Expression Levels of Melanin Synthesis Genes according to the MC1R Genotypes with the Coat Color Patterns in Hanwoo, Jeju Black Cattle and Holstein

Abstract

and DCT genes showed higher expression levels of 4.5, 2.3 and 2.5 times higher in the black skin area of Holsteins than those of from JBC, respectively (p<0.001). In addition, the expression levels of these three genes from JBC were significantly higher than those from Hanwoo cattle (p<0.001). These results show that coat color phenotypes in Hanwoo cattle, JBC and Holsteins is directly correlated with TRY, TYRP1 and DCT transcription levels, which probably reflected involvement with MC1R genotypes; e/e in Hanwoo,Consequently, this study suggested that the status of MC1R protein may not only induce the transcription activities of a series of TYR and its related genes responsible for melanin synthesis, but also determine the levels of total melanin contents in bovine skin.