Expression and Distribution of the Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein Subunit Alpha-S in Mice Skin Tissues and Its Association with White and Black Coat Colors

The study investigated the role of Guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha-s (Gnαs) in the formation of coat color in mice by examining its expression in white and black skin tissues. Using quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry, the researchers found that Gnαs was expressed at significantly higher levels in black mice compared to white mice. The expression pattern was consistent at both the transcript and protein levels. Immunohistochemistry showed that Gnαs was present in the root sheath and dermal papilla of the hair follicle. These findings suggest that Gnαs may play a role in determining coat color in mice, with different expression levels contributing to the variation between white and black coat colors.