GeneSeek-Neogen PorcineSNP80 BeadChip

The Wuzhishan pig breed exhibits three different coat color phenotypes (white, black, and black-back/white-belly). The coat color variation is worth studying. The 61 white, 96 black-back-white-belly, and 58 black Wuzhishan pigs were used to conduct a genome-wide association analysis. 97 genome-wide significant SNPs on chromosome 8 are related to coat colour.RAPGEF2, PDGFRA and KIT genes were identified as candidate genes for coat color variation by haplotype-sharing analysis and Gene ontology analysis. SNPs genotyping and mRNA expression analysis further confirmed RAPGEF2 and PDGFRA as potential candidate genes. KIT was confirmed as a potential candidate gene for white coat color by duplication and splice mutation detection. Our study may also shed light on the complex genetic background of coat colour variation in animals.