Identification and Sequence Characterization of Melanocortin 1 Receptor Gene () in Versus ()

Melanocortin 1 receptor () plays a vital role in melanogenesis and determines coat color of mammals. Polymorphic variants in , causing coat color variation, were described in few mammals; however, such studies were not done in cattle. The objective of the study was to explore the association of gene polymorphism within Tharparkar () and Karan Fries () cattle. Genomic DNA isolated from blood samples of Tharparkar breed by modified Phenol: Chloroform; Isoamyl alcohol method. Using genomic DNA as template for PCR, gene was amplified and sequenced. The sequences were analyzed and submitted to Genbank with Acc.No MG373615-MG373644. Comparison of sequence alignment with other bovine species using ClustalW revealed 99-96% similarity. gene phylogenetic analyses were analyzed using MEGA X. The gene tree, protein domains and genetic variation of cattle were retrieved from Ensemble Asia Cattle Genome Browser. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (c.296T > C, c.583T > C, c.663C > T, c.830T > C, c.853G > A, c.880G > A, c.906C > G, c.927C > T) in CDS reveal high genetic variability. Subsequent to amino acid changes p.L99P, p.F195L, p.F277S, p.A285T and p.D293N, p.R302S, respectively found in seven-transmembrane. Mutations appeared in of with white and black coat color as compared to with white coat.