Describing variability in the tyrosinase (TYR) gene, the albino coat colour locus, in domestic and wild European rabbits. TYR gene sequences in different rabbit breeds

Disrupting mutations affecting the tyrosinase (TYR) gene cause different forms of albinism in mice, humans and several other mammals. Classical genetic studies have already reported five alleles at the European rabbit albino locus, indicated to be part of the C series, each of them with different actions on pheomelanin and eumelanin production, as well as on the eyes. A few of these alleles have been already characterized at the DNA level by sequencing the coding region of the rabbit TYR gene in few breeds or strains with specific alleles at this locus. In this study, we further characterized the TYR gene by sequencing all coding and flanking regions in a total of 25 rabbits from 11 domestic breeds (Belgian Hare, Burgundy Fawn, Californian, Champagne d’Argent, Giant Chinchilla, Giant Grey, Havana, Leprino di Viterbo, New Zealand White, Silver and White Vienna) and in other 11 wild rabbits from Sardinia. Sequencing data identified a total of 15 polymorphisms.