Variations in endothelin receptor B subtype 2 (EDNRB2) coding sequences and mRNA expression levels in 4 Muscovy duck plumage colour phenotypes

ABSTRACT

1. Endothelin receptor B subtype 2 (EDNRB2) is a paralog of EDNRB, which encodes a 7-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor. Previous studies reported that EDNRB was essential for melanoblast migration in mammals and ducks.

2. Muscovy ducks have different plumage colour phenotypes. Variations in EDNRB2 coding sequences (CDSs) and mRNA expression levels were investigated in 4 different Muscovy duck plumage colour phenotypes, including black, black mutant, silver and white head.

3. The EDNRB2 gene from Muscovy duck was cloned; it had a length of 6435 bp and encoded 437 amino acids. The coding region was screened and potential single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified. Eight mutations were obtained, including one missense variant (c.64C > T) and 7 synonymous substitutions. The substitutions were associated with plumage colour phenotypes.

4. The EDNRB2 mRNA expression levels were compared between feather pulp from black birds and black mutant birds. The results indicated that EDNRB2 transcripts in feather pulp were significantly higher in black feathers than in white feathers.

5. The results determined the variation of EDNRB2 CDS and mRNA expression in Muscovy ducks of various plumage colours.

KEYWORDS:

• EDNRB2
• Muscovy duck
• polymorphism
• quantitative real-time PCR

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the earmarked fund for Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System (CARS-43-3), the National Key Technology R&D Program of Jiangsu Province (BE2014381), Agricultural Science and Technology Independent Innovation Fund of Jiangsu Province [CX(15)1010] and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions [2011-137].

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Funding

This work was financially supported by the earmarked fund for Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System [CARS-43-3]; National Key Technology R&D Program of Jiangsu Province [BE2014381]; the Agricultural Science and Technology Independent Innovation Fund of Jiangsu Province [CX(15)1010] and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions [2011-137].