Premium
The melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) gene and color polymorphism in Plethodon cinereus
Author(s) -
Hyatt Carly J.,
Kimble Danielle,
Pytel Barbara
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.825.5
Subject(s) - melanocortin 1 receptor , biology , genetics , gene , melanin , eye color , polymorphism (computer science) , phenotype , allele
The salamander Plethodon cinereus can be found in two different color phases; the red‐back phase and the lead‐back phase. The molecular basis behind these different color morphs is not fully understood. In this study, the gene for the melanocortin receptor (MC1R) was sequenced to see if mutations in this gene are responsible for these color differences. MC1R is a G protein‐coupled receptor that has seven transmembrane domains. It plays an important role in pigmentation and melanin production in skin, hair and feathers and mutations in this protein appear to correspond to light or dark phenotypes in many different animals. It was hypothesized that mutations in MC1R are responsible for the polymorphism in Plethodon cinereus. Frozen tissue from salamanders caught from Helderberg Escarpment was used to isolate, amplify and sequence 692 base pair fragment of MC1R. Sequencing this gene for MC1R will hopefully help to better understand the molecular basis for the color morphs in Plethodon cinereus. Supported by Union College, Biology Department.