Mapping of the melatonin receptor 1a (MTNR1A) gene in pigs, sheep, and cattle

• Published in: Mammalian genome Vol. 8; no. 5; pp. 368 - 370
• Main Authors: Messer, L A, Wang, L, Tuggle, C K, Yerle, M, Chardon, P, Pomp, D, Womack, J E, Barendse, W, Crawford, A M, Notter, D R, Rothschild, M F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Verlag 01.05.1997
• Subjects: Alleles; Animals; Base Sequence; Cattle; Chromosome Mapping; DNA Primers - genetics; Gene Frequency; Genetics; Humans; Life Sciences; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymorphism, Genetic; Receptors, Cell Surface - genetics; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear - genetics; Receptors, Melatonin; Sheep; Species Specificity; Swine
• ISSN: 0938-8990; 1432-1777
• DOI: 10.1007/s003359900444

Extensive efforts in the area of livestock genetics have produced comprehensive genomic maps of cattle, pigs, and sheep. Loci mapped in both livestock genomes and "map-rich" species like human and mouse may provide insight into chromosomal regions that are likely to contain areas of conserved synteny or rearrangements, and may help predict genes within regions of livestock chromosomes thought to contain quantitative trait loci. Recent ZOO-FISH experiments have identified many conserved segments of syntenic chromosomes between human and pig and between human and bovine chromosomes. Melatonin is a pineal gland hormone known to regulate circadian rhythms and reproduction changes in seasonally reproductive mammals through the binding to high-affinity, G-protein-coupled receptors. The melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) has been mapped to human Chromosome (Chr) (HSA) 4q35.1 and to the proximal portion of mouse Chr (MMU) 8. We were interested in mapping MTNR1A in the pig to extend the defined boundary of the chromosomal rearrangement of SSC8, and in mapping this gene in sheep and cattle to further define previously established synteny in these species.