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Zoological Research
Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
ISSN: 2095-8137
Vol. 37, No. 3, 2016, pp. 144-150
Bioline Code: zr16023
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

Zoological Research, Vol. 37, No. 3, 2016, pp. 144-150

 en Expression levels of GSTA2 and APOD genes might be associated with carotenoid coloration in golden pheasant ( Chrysolophus pictus check for this species in other resources ) plumage
Gao, Guang-Qi; Song, Li-Shuang; Tong, Bin & Ll, Guang-Peng

Abstract

Carotenoids, which generate yellow, orange, and red colors, are crucial pigments in avian plumage. Investigations into genes associated with carotenoidbased coloration in avian species are important; however, such research is difficult because carotenoids cannot be synthetized in vertebrates as they are only derived from dietary sources. Here, the golden pheasant ( Chrysolophus pictus check for this species in other resources ) was used as a model in analysis of candidate gene expression profiles implicated in carotenoid binding and deposition. Using mass and Raman spectrometry to confirm the presence of carotenoids in golden pheasant feathers, we found C40H54O and C40H56O2 in feathers with yellow to red colors, and in the rachis of iridescent feathers. The global gene expression profiles in golden pheasant skins were analyzed by RNA-seq and all six carotenoid binding candidate genes sequenced were studied by realtime PCR. StAR4, GSTA2, Scarb1, and APOD in feather follicles showed different expressions in red breast and orange nape feathers compared with that of iridescent mantle feathers. Further comparison of golden pheasant yellow rump and Lady Amherst\'s pheasant ( Chrysolophus amherstiae check for this species in other resources ) white nape feathers suggested that GSTA2 and APOD played a potential role in carotenoid-based coloration in golden pheasant.

Keywords
Expression; Carotenoid coloration; Candidate genes; Golden pheasant; Feather

 
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