Gene Expression Difference of Fibromelanosis of Dongxiang Black-bone Chicken

Fibromelanosis is the most striking mutation in black-bone chickens in world, determining dermal and visceral melanization. Dongxiang black-bone chicken is one of the 107 Chinese domestic chickens, characterized by black feather, and its comb, beak, skin, muscle, bone, tibia and toe are almost black. The aim of this study was to identify usual and noval genes related to fibromelanosis phenotype of Dongxiang black-bone chicken using digital gene expression analysis, as a new point for revealing the molecular genetic mechanisms of the mutation. Overall design: single factor experiment, black skin sample versus white skin sample from full sibs.

2