Comparative transcriptome and histological analyses provide insights into the skin pigmentation in Minxian black fur sheep (Ovis aries)

• Published in: PeerJ (San Francisco, CA) Vol. 9; p. e11122
• Main Authors: Shi, Xiaolei, Wu, Jianping, Lang, Xia, Wang, Cailian, Bai, Yan, Riley, David Greg, Liu, Lishan, Ma, Xiaoming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States PeerJ. Ltd 27.04.2021; PeerJ, Inc; PeerJ Inc
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Biodiversity; Color; Dermis; Dopachrome isomerase; Follicles; Free radicals (Chemistry); Gene expression; Gene regulation; Genes; Genetics; Genomes; Genomics; Histology; Melanin; Melanocortin; Melanocyte-stimulating hormone; Molecular Biology; Natural selection; Ovis aries; Pelodiscus sinensis; Phenotypes; Pigmentation; RNA; RNA sequencing; Sheep; Skin; Skin pigmentation; Software; Transcriptomes; Tyrosine; Zoology; China; Hungary; United States > US; Germany; RNA sequencing; Sheep; Histology; Skin; Pigmentation

Minxian black fur (MBF) sheep are found in the northwestern parts of China. These sheep have developed several special traits. Skin color is a phenotype subject to strong natural selection and diverse skin colors are likely a consequence of differences in gene regulation. Skin structure, color diffe...