Research note: Systematic evaluation reveals the genetic independence of atypical shank feathering from PITX1, TBX5, and CUBN variants in chickens.

Abstract excerpt

Shank feathering (ptilopody) in chickens is primarily driven by cis-regulatory variants at the PITX1, TBX5, and CUBN loci. Recent refinement has pinpointed the major PITX1 determinant to an ∼18-kb deletion adjacent to H2AFY, which suppresses distal gene expression by disrupting a chromatin insulator. To evaluate these variants, we surveyed over 20,000 birds from diverse populations and identified an atypical,...

Topics

• Animals
• Paired Box Transcription Factors
• T-Box Domain Proteins
• Chickens
• Feathers
• Avian Proteins