Identification of differentially expressed Gnas and Gn alpha 11 in sheep (Ovis aries) skins associated with white and black coat colors

摘要

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha-s (Gn alpha s) and guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha-11 (Gn alpha 11) play an important role in coat color formation. To improve our understanding of Gn alpha s and Gn alpha 11 expression levels and pattern in the skin of black sheep (Ovis aries) compared with white sheep, we analyzed the expression levels through quantitative real time PCR (OCR) and Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. qPCR and Western blot results suggested that Gn alpha s and Gn alpha 11 were significantly expressed at high levels in black sheep skin compared with the white sheep skin. Gn alpha 11 expression was higher than Gn alpha s expression in both skin colors, transcripts and protein exhibited the same expression pattern in white and black sheep skins. Immunohistochemical results revealed that Gn alpha s and Gn alpha 11 were localized in the outer root sheath of hair follicle in sheep. Furthermore, the expression of Gn alpha 11 in outer root sheath of hair follicle was stronger than that in Gn alpha s. Immunofluorescencence further demonstrated that signals of Gn alpha s and Gn alpha 11 were detected in outer root sheath and hair papilla. These results provide a novel insight into the role of Gn alpha s and Gn alpha 11 in the regulation of sheep coat color. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.