Skin Transcriptomic and Selection Signature Analyses Identify ASIP as a Key Gene in Cattle Coat Color Determination

April 2025 in “ Frontiers in Genetics ”

Xin Wang, Longxin Xu, Di Zhou, Yanli Lv, Junjie Wu, Yuanfeng Zhao, Mengmeng Ni, Wenzhang Zhou, Kai-Kai Zhang, Hua Wang, Jipan Zhang

ASIP gene melanin gene expression skin transcriptome analysis whole genome analysis positive selection mutation types reference allele pigmentation coat color cattle breeds Simmental cattle Angus cattle

Studysummary This study investigated the genetic basis of coat color variation in cattle using skin transcriptome and whole-genome analyses, identifying the ASIP gene as a significant determinant that is differentially expressed and under strong positive selection in black and brown cattle breeds.

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