Regulatory Pathway Analysis of Coat Color Genes in Mongolian Horses

The study analyzed gene expression in Mongolian horses with different coat colors, identifying 231 differentially expressed genes. It found that genes related to tyrosine metabolism were up-regulated in black horses, potentially influencing their dark coat color. Additionally, keratin, MIA family, fatty acid-related, and melanoma-associated genes were differentially regulated, suggesting their roles in coat color formation. These findings provided insights into the genetics of skin melanin synthesis in horses, which could enhance understanding of human skin conditions like melanoma and albinism. The study highlighted the genetic basis of coat color variation and its implications for understanding skin-related diseases in other animals, including humans.