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Epistasis

Epistasis

In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...

Epistasis Analysis

Epistasis Analysis

Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

Complementation Tests

Complementation Tests

A complementation test is a simple cross to identify whether the two mutations are located on the same gene or different genes. It was first performed by Edward Lewis in the 1940s while working on fruit flies. He developed the test to identify the location and arrangement of different mutations on chromosomes.
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...

Position-effect Variegation

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.

Reporter Genes

Reporter Genes

Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

Published on: August 22, 2018

Quantitative expression of candidate genes affecting eggshell color.

Chuanwei Zheng¹, Zesheng Li, Ning Yang

¹College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho

|March 12, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Eggshell color is determined by pigment production and transport, influenced by gene expression. Key genes like CPOX, FECH, BCRP, HRG1, FLVCR, SLCO1A2, and SLCO1C1 impact pigment levels and transport, affecting final eggshell color.

Keywords:

eggshell-color heme protoporphyrin real-time PCR

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Area of Science:

Genetics and Molecular Biology
Animal Science
Biochemistry

Background:

Eggshell color is a significant trait in poultry, influenced by pigments like protoporphyrin and biliverdin.
The heme biosynthesis pathway and pigment transport mechanisms are crucial for determining eggshell coloration.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genetic basis of eggshell color variation in hens.
To identify specific genes and their expression levels associated with different eggshell colors (white, pink, brown).

Main Methods:

Gene expression analysis in key tissues of egg-producing hens.
Correlation of gene expression levels with distinct eggshell colors.

Main Results:

High expression of Coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CPOX) correlated with brown eggshells due to increased protoporphyrinogen.
High expression of Ferrochelatase (FECH) correlated with lighter eggshells by reducing protoporphyrinogen.
Expression levels of heme transporters (BCRP, HRG1, FLVCR) and organic anion transporters (SLCO1A2, SLCO1C1) significantly influenced eggshell pigmentation.

Conclusions:

Seven genes (CPOX, FECH, BCRP, HRG1, FLVCR, SLCO1A2, SLCO1C1) were identified as key regulators of eggshell color.
Eggshell color is a complex trait influenced by the interplay of pigment synthesis and transport gene expression.