mRNA-sequencing of oviduct tissues from wild type and white egg mutant strains of Japanese quail

Birds use the heme precursor protoporphyrin IX as the brown eggshell pigment. This molecule is produced in mucosal epithelium of eggshell gland. The genetic basis of the tissue specific control of heme biosynthesis remains unclear. To identify genes involved in the control of eggshell pigment production, mRNA-sequencing of mucosal epithelia of eggshell glands and isthmuses of wild type quail were performed. Expression of genes involved in the production of eggshell pigment may be downregulated in mutant quail that exhibit white eggshell. mRNA-sequencing of the two tissues from mutant quail was also performed.