Structure and Variability of the Pax3 and EDNRB Genes in American Mink (Neovison vison)

Abstract

The Pax3 protein is a transcription factor responsible for process of differentiation neural crest stem cells during the embryonic period, in individual life Pax3 gene expression is an element of skin cells response to ultraviolet radiation (UV). Mutations of Pax3 gene are possible cause of some color patterns Quarter Horse breed, additionally some variations of Pax3 gene can disturb the process of embryonic or fetal development. Endothelin Receptor Type B (EDNRB) is another candidate gene that can affect on the distribution of the dye in skin or hairs, exons 1, 3, 4 and 5 were sequenced, any nucleotide variations were not observed. Exons 2 and 3 of the Pax3 gene along with the flanking regions were sequenced, in which a few variations were found, some of them were genotyped by means of PCR-RFLP and ASA-PCR. Statistically significant differences between the frequency of examined alleles in the various coat color groups were observed.