Effects of SLC45A2 and GPNMB on Melanin Deposition Based on Transcriptome Sequencing in Chicken Feather Follicles

This study investigates the genetic mechanisms behind melanin deposition in chicken feathers by analyzing feather follicle tissues from chickens with different feather colors. Transcriptome analysis identified several key genes, including SLC45A2 and GPNMB, which were consistently expressed in both neck and wing tissues across different plumage colors. Enrichment analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes were involved in melanin-related pathways, such as the tyrosine metabolic pathway and melanogenesis. Further experiments confirmed that SLC45A2 and GPNMB promote melanin deposition in chicken melanocytes, enhancing our understanding of the genetic regulation of chicken feather color.