Fig. 4.

Melanotic is associated with differential expressions of multiple GJA5 transcripts. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. (A) Results of qRT-PCR analysis of GJA5 transcripts using tissues from adult Dark Cornish (Ml/Ml) and Partridge Plymouth Rock (ml⁺/ml⁺) hens. Feather follicle tissues were collected from developing feathers. For each transcript, the relative expression is reported as proportion to the expression level in the skin of one of the Partridge Plymouth Rock hens. Gene expression was normalized against ACTB expression; n = 2 for each data point. (B) GJA5 expression was examined in feather follicles from Ml/ml⁺ heterozygotes. SNP markers and the associated transcripts are labeled on top of each figure. Peak height of each allele was quantified using the PeakPicker 2 software (34). The y axis shows the ratio of the peak height of the Ml allele over the ml⁺ allele. The three cDNA and three genomic DNA (gDNA) samples came from the same individuals (n = 3). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.