Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Shi, Zhen Cheng
Summary: Malignant melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer-associated mortality, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Accurate staging and restaging are crucial for the management of melanoma patients, as treatment efficiency is highly dependent on the stage of melanoma. This review provides a brief summary of MC1R-targeted tracers and melanin-associated molecular imaging probes, which may contribute to the development of novel molecular probes for cancer theranostics.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haojie Tong, Gang Shao, Leijie Wang, Jiasheng Li, Tao Wang, Lun Zhang, Yudie Lv, Fei Ye, Caiyun Fu, Yuanting Jin
Summary: The MC1R gene is associated with intraspecific color variation in the lizard Phrynocephalus erythrurus. A single amino acid replacement at residue Glu183Lys in the MC1R protein leads to functional changes, resulting in differences in dorsal pigmentation between populations from different environments in the Qiangtang plateau. The SQP allele exhibits higher MC1R-α-MSH binding and increased melanin synthesis compared to the NQP allele.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Wang, Taimei Di, Weiwei Wang, Heyuan Jiang
Summary: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallocatechin gallate (GCG), theaflavine-3,3'-digallate (TFDG), and theasinensin A (TSA) effectively reduce melanin content and tyrosinase (TYR) activity without affecting cell viability. This study investigated their anti-melanogenic mechanisms and compared their activities at the molecular level. The results showed that these compounds downregulated key targets related to melanogenesis, including the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and the TYR family. Catechins had stronger downregulation abilities than dimers, and the compounds stably bound to the MC1R protein.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ying Guo, Carl-Johan Rubin, Tilman Ronneburg, Shouzhi Wang, Hui Li, Xiaoxiang Hu, Orjan Carlborg
Summary: We compared the genomes of domestic chicken breeds with different earlobe colors and identified differentiated regions on chromosome 11. We found a significant selective sweep in white earlobe chicken breeds from the Mediterranean, where multiple candidate genes, including the Melanocor-tin 1 Receptor (MC1R), are located. MC1R is known to regulate pigmentation in the skin and hair and shows strong positional support from haplotype-based analyses. Further experimental exploration is needed to confirm its effects on chicken earlobe color variation. This study is the first to use whole-genome sequencing data and a selective sweep mapping method to explore the genetic basis of white earlobe color in Mediterranean chickens, demonstrating its value in identifying functional genes and suggesting a potential novel role of MC1R in birds. Selection for fancy traits has influenced the chicken genome during the formation of modern breeds.
Article
Fisheries
Chenxu Wang, Thomas D. Kocher, Baoyue Lu, Jia Xu, Deshou Wang
Summary: In this study, we successfully generated a silver-white tilapia through mutation of the hps4 gene using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The mutation resulted in a significant decrease of melanophores and melanin, and a significant increase of iridophores, xanthophores, and erythrophores. This research represents the first report on the disruption of HPS4 in teleosts and the regulation of iridophore, xanthophore, and erythrophore numbers by HPS4.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hwang-Ju Jeon, Kyeongnam Kim, Chaeeun Kim, Sung-Eun Lee
Summary: Regulation of melanin production through the MC1R signaling pathway is an important protective mechanism against UV exposure. The search for skin-whitening agents has been a major pursuit of the cosmetic industry, and the potential of curcumin and its derivatives, dimethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, was evaluated in this study. Curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin showed significant antimelanogenic activities in melanoma cells and zebrafish embryos. However, the highest concentration of curcumin resulted in slight toxicity in zebrafish embryos, while dimethoxycurcumin had no activity. Bisdemethoxycurcumin appears to be a strong candidate as a skin-whitening agent.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catherine Kuhn, David Butman
Summary: The study analyzed time series data of hundreds of thousands of lakes in the panArctic region, finding that lake greenness declined overall by 15%, with a higher likelihood in areas experiencing increases in air temperature and precipitation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Xianbo Jia, Peng Ding, Shiyi Chen, Shaokang Zhao, Jie Wang, Songjia Lai
Summary: This study investigated gene frequencies of pigmentation genes in four Chinese native rabbit breeds with different coat colors, revealing significant genetic variations among the populations. The results provide insights into the genetic background and valuable genetic resources of these indigenous rabbit breeds.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chelby Lynn Gossett, Danielle Guyer, Jessica Hein, Samantha A. Brooks
Summary: This study examined the relationship between white-spotting percentage and genotypes in American Paint Horses using digital photograph analysis. The results showed that the number of white-spotting alleles is positively correlated with white-coat percentage, with chestnut-based Paint Horses having a higher percentage. The study also found differences in white-coat percentage among different registry categories of the American Paint Horse Association.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jin Lan, Min Wang, Ke Qin, Xiaofeng Liu, Xuan Shi, Guanjie Sun, Xiaohong Liu, Yaosheng Chen, Zuyong He
Summary: This study examined the subcellular localization and cAMP signaling capability of different MC1R variants in porcine kidney cells, and identified how specific mutations affect melanin synthesis and receptor function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haiwen Zhong, Jian Zhang, Cheng Tan, Junsong Shi, Jie Yang, Gengyuan Cai, Zhenfang Wu, Huaqiang Yang
Summary: In this study, we identified four missense mutations that could affect MC1R protein function for eumelanin synthesis by comparing MC1R gene sequences. Using CRISPR-mediated homologous recombination, we successfully mutated the e allele in Duroc pigs to the dominant E-D1 allele at the MC1R locus, leading to uniform black coat color. The modified pigs carried a heterozygous E-D1/e allele at the MC1R locus and retained the genetic background of Duroc breed. Our work provides a gene editing method for pig coat color manipulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kirstin Janssen, Jan Ove Bustnes, Nicholas Mundy
Summary: Coloration is evolutionarily labile, providing a useful trait for studying the repeatability of evolution. Polymorphic variation in ventral plumage coloration in skuas is not entirely associated with genetic coding changes at MC1R, suggesting that convergent evolution of plumage polymorphisms in skuas is only partially repeatable at the genetic locus level. The pattern of repeatability in skuas is not phylogenetically aligned, but rather with the nature of the phenotypic variation, with south polar skuas showing a unique sex bias in coloration.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luca Fontanesi
Summary: This review focuses on rabbit genetic resources that have been bred for specific exterior traits, discussing the potential use of naturally occurring rabbit mutants as animal models for further genetic studies. It also provides a historical overview of domesticated rabbit populations and analyzes genetic features of different breeds related to coat colors and body shapes. Additional studies are needed to fully characterize genetic variability in fancy breeds and commercial lines.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Qixin Guo, Yong Jiang, Zhixiu Wang, Yulin Bi, Guohong Chen, Hao Bai, Guobin Chang
Summary: This study identified candidate genes and potential SNPs associated with yellow, black, and spotted beaks in ducks. MITF, EDNRB2, members of the POU family, and the SLC superfamily were found to be candidate genes regulating pigmentation. The study provides new insights into the genetic factors influencing beak color diversity.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Qixin Guo, Yong Jiang, Zhixiu Wang, Yulin Bi, Guohong Chen, Hao Bai, Guobin Chang
Summary: In this study, ducks were assessed to identify candidate genes for yellow, black, and spotted tibiae. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were performed to identify significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the three shin colors. The study found candidate genes and genetic variations that regulate pigmentation, providing new insights into the genetic factors influencing tibia color diversity in birds.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
K. L. Evans, J. G. Ewen, G. Guillera-Arroita, J. A. Johnson, V. Penteriani, S. J. Ryan, R. Sollmann, I. J. Gordon
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2020)
Letter
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher J. W. McClure, James R. S. Westrip, Jeff A. Johnson, Sarah E. Schulwitz, Munir Z. Virani, Robert Davies, Andrew Symes, Hannah Wheatley, Russell Thorstrom, Arjun Amar, Ralph Buij, Victoria R. Jones, Nick P. Williams, Evan R. Buechley, Stuart H. M. Butchart
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claire Pitre, Alexandra G. Ponette-Gonzalez, Jenna E. Rindy, Anna Lee, Dornith Doherty, Matthew Fry, Jeff A. Johnson
Summary: The study compared EC accumulation on bird feathers at locations with different traffic volumes in urban areas, finding that feathers near a highway accumulated approximately eight times more EC on average than feathers near a university campus bus stop. This indicates that EC accumulation on feathers varies over short distances within urban areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Cinthia Carolina Abbona, Gustavo Neme, Jeff Johnson, Adolfo Gil, Ricardo Villalba, Lisa Nagaoka, Tracy Kim, Steve Wolverton
Summary: Zooarchaeologists used ancient DNA analysis to study the population history of guanacos in northwest Patagonia, revealing that human hunting and increased aridity contributed to a decline in guanaco population during the late Holocene. This contrasts with the harvest and environmental history in other parts of Patagonia. The late Holocene shift in guanaco population size was identified as a driving factor in subsistence and settlement changes in northwest Patagonia.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
K. K. Burnham, F. K. Meyer, J. L. Burnham, M. Chumchal, J. A. Johnson
Summary: Research shows that mercury levels in Arctic seabird eggs have increased significantly over the past century, with eggs in northwest Greenland having particularly high concentrations. This suggests that some seabird eggs may be at risk of embryonic mortality.
Article
Ornithology
Therese A. Catanach, Matthew R. Halley, Julie M. Allen, Jeff A. Johnson, Russell Thorstrom, Samantha Palhano, Chyna Poor Thunder, Julio C. Gallardo, Jason D. Weckstein
Summary: Caribbean Sharp-shinned Hawks show clear endemism and species divergence, with limited gene flow between island populations and mainland populations, although their evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships are still not well understood.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kurt K. Burnham, Jennifer L. Burnham, Jeff A. Johnson, Abby Huffman
Summary: This study is the first to provide data on the migratory movements of the large-billed subspecies of Atlantic puffin, revealing that females traveled farther than males during migration. Male puffins demonstrated chain migration with synchrony, while females exhibited leap-frog migration with less synchrony.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Samantha L. R. Capel, Juan L. Bouzat, Julian M. Catchen, Jeff A. Johnson, Peter O. Dunn, Ken N. Paige
Summary: Various conservation strategies have been developed to address biodiversity loss driven by human activities. This study uses the greater prairie-chicken as a case study and demonstrates that translocations can alleviate inbreeding, restore genetic diversity, and maintain local variation. The findings highlight the value of genome-wide analysis in assessing the effects of translocations and genetic restoration success.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erik R. Funk, Nicholas A. Mason, Snaebjorn Palsson, Tomas Albrecht, Jeff A. Johnson, Scott A. Taylor
Summary: The genetic architecture of a phenotype plays a significant role in the evolution of traits or species. In redpoll finches, a chromosomal inversion appears to control multiple linked traits related to coloration and bill morphology, potentially under environmental selection, maintaining balanced polymorphism. Despite gene flow causing homogenization of the genome, this mechanism helps to explain the maintenance of ecotype variation in redpolls.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Deborah M. Leigh, Oliver Kersten, Bastiaan Star, Tycho Anker-Nilssen, Kurt Burnham, Jeff Johnson, Jennifer Provencher, Sanne Boessenkool
Summary: Genetic analysis of Atlantic Puffins revealed the presence of four genetic clusters corresponding to geography and size. However, in the Western Atlantic High Arctic, a Puffin colony called Thule showed two distinct size phenotypes and three distinct genetic clusters. This suggests a potential northward shift of boreal Atlantic Puffins in response to a warming High Arctic climate.
Article
Ornithology
Kelsey S. Biles, James C. Bednarz, Sarah E. Schulwitz, Jeff A. Johnson
Summary: The population of American Kestrels, a small falcon species, is declining across North America, and the reasons for this decline are still unknown. To understand their migratory connectivity and identify potential causes of decline, tracking devices are usually used, but attaching them to American Kestrels is challenging due to their small size and aggressive behavior. This study found that attaching tracking devices using backpack harnesses had higher return rates compared to leg-loop harnesses, suggesting that backpack harnesses are the preferred method for attaching devices to American Kestrels.
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Madeline A. Dykstra, Donna M. Marain, Anna M. Wrona, Cheryl R. Dykstra, Heather L. Farrington, Jeff A. Johnson, Ann R. Wegman, Melinda M. Simon, Jeffrey L. Hays
Summary: The south Florida subspecies of the Red-shouldered Hawk is distinct in appearance and behavior, with paler coloration, smaller size, and the ability to inhabit different habitats. Genetic analysis shows significant differentiation between the south Florida population and the eastern populations of Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as differentiation between the two eastern populations. This suggests the south Florida population should be managed as a separate conservation unit due to its unique characteristics and potential threats.
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jennifer L. Ellis, Alexandra G. Ponette-Gonzalez, Matthew Fry, Jeff A. Johnson
Summary: Feather quality in birds is an important signal of individual health, as feathers play a crucial role in flight, insulation, social interactions, and sexual selection. This study examined the accumulation of airborne particulate matter (PM) on Rock Pigeon feathers and analyzed its impact on feather properties. We found that rural birds had a higher rate of PM accumulation than urban birds. However, particulates collected from urban pigeons had lower reflectance and lightness compared to those of rural pigeons. These findings suggest that urban pollution can alter feather properties in wild birds and further research is needed to understand its implications on their physiological and behavioral health.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher J. W. McClure, Igor Berkunsky, Evan R. Buechley, Leah Dunn, Jeff Johnson, Jennifer McCabe, Steffen Oppel, Brian W. Rolek, Luke J. Sutton, Rikki Gumbs
Summary: Amidst the ongoing sixth mass extinction, conservationists are faced with limited resources and the need to prioritize species and areas for conservation action. This study emphasizes the importance of evolutionary distinctiveness in determining the conservation priority of bird species. By combining evolutionary distinctiveness with a species' global endangered status, an EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) score is obtained. The researchers analyzed all bird species and bird conservation areas globally, with a focus on parrots, raptors, and seabirds due to their high threat levels and species richness. The results showed that these three groups had a significant median threatened evolutionary history, indicating their importance in preserving bird evolutionary history. The countries of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, New Zealand, and the Philippines were identified as particularly critical for bird conservation, as they had a high concentration of threatened evolutionary history for endemic birds and were important for the focal groups mentioned above. The study highlights the need for increased enforcement of international agreements to protect parrots, raptors, and seabirds, as they safeguard millions of years of threatened bird evolutionary history. Urgent action is required to conserve the evolutionary history of birds in the Anthropocene.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jeff A. Johnson, Giridhar Athrey, Clifford M. Anderson, Douglas A. Bell, Andrew Dixon, Yoshinori Kumazawa, Tom Maechtle, Garrett W. Meeks, David Mindell, Keiya Nakajima, Ben Novak, Sandra Talbot, Clayton White, Xiangjiang Zhan
Summary: In efforts to prevent extinction, resource managers need to consider the genetic diversity of small populations. However, not all small populations require measures to increase their genetic diversity, as shown in a case study on peregrine falcons. Extensive variation in genetic diversity was observed among different subspecies, suggesting that high levels of inbreeding may not be a threat for all populations.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)