Identification of Differentially Expressed GNAS and GNA11 in Sheep (Ovis Aries) Skins Associated with White and Black Coat Colors

March 2016 in “ Acta histochemica ”

Zhihong Yin, Xin Zhao, Zhun Wang, Lirui Wang, Zhen Li, Rui Bai, Min Zhao, Quanhai Pang

Gnαs Gnα11 mRNA protein expression outer root sheath hair papilla hair follicles G protein alpha subunit messenger RNA protein levels hair root sheath hair bulb

TLDR Black sheep have higher levels of Gnαs and Gnα11 proteins, which may affect their coat color.

The study identified that Gnαs and Gnα11 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in black sheep skin compared to white sheep skin, with Gnα11 showing higher expression than Gnαs in both skin colors. These proteins were located in the outer root sheath and hair papilla of hair follicles. The findings suggested that Gnαs and Gnα11 might play a role in the formation of coat hair color in sheep. The study involved six one-year-old female sheep, three with white coats and three with black coats.

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research Identification of Differentially Expressed GNAS and GNA11 in Sheep (Ovis Aries) Skins Associated with White and Black Coat Colors

1 citations , March 2016 in “Acta histochemica”

Black sheep have higher levels of Gnαs and Gnα11 proteins, which may affect their coat color.