An EAV-HP Insertion in 5′ Flanking Region of SLCO1B3 Causes Blue Eggshell in the Chicken

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003183
• Publication Date: 2013-01-24T22:03:58Z
• Authors: Zhepeng Wang; Lujiang Qu; Junfeng Yao; Xiaolin Yang; Guangqi Li; Yuanyuan Zhang; Junying Li; Xiaotong Wang; Jirong Bai; Guiyun Xu; Xuemei Deng; Ning Yang; Changxin Wu
• Keywords: Oviduct

The genetic determination of eggshell coloration has not been determined in birds. Here we report that the blue is caused by an EAV-HP insertion promotes expression SLCO1B3 gene uterus (shell gland) oviduct chicken. In this study, map location was refined linkage analysis F(2) chicken population, and four candidate genes within interval were subsequently tested for their levels shell gland from blue-shelled non-blue-shelled hens. found to be only one expressed hens but Results a pyrosequencing showed allele chickens heterozygous (O*LC/O*N). belongs organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) family; OATPs, functioning as membrane transporters, have reported transportation amphipathic compounds, including bile salt mammals. We resequenced whole genomic region discovered 5' flanking SLCO1B3. closely associated with phenotype following complete Mendelian segregation. situ hybridization also demonstrated ectopic glands uterus. Our finding strongly suggests causative mutation phenotype. another Chinese breed American breed. addition, site Araucana different breeds, which implied independent integration events two continents, providing parallel evolutionary example at molecular level.