Detection of 881A→881G Mutation in Tyrosinase Gene and Associations with the Black Ear Coat Color in Rabbits

The tyrosinase gene was selected as a candidate for uncovering genetic mechanism causing 'black ear' coat color in rabbits. A PCR-SSCP detection method was established for the $881^A{\rightarrow}881^G$ mutation located in the central region of the tyrosinase gene between the CuA and CuB binding region signatures, and this was confirmed by sequencing and alignment. Fully consistent associations between the SNP and 'black ear' coat color were observed by analysis in a "black ear" pedigree and on 61 unrelated individuals. This SNP can serve as a molecular marker for use in "back ear" wool rabbit breeding.