Expression and Distribution of the Guanine Nucleotide-binding Protein Subunit Alpha-s in Mice Skin Tissues and Its Association with White and Black Coat Colors

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha-s ($Gn{\alpha}s$) is a small subunit of the G protein-couple signaling pathway, which is involved in the formation of coat color. The expression level and distribution of $Gn{\alpha}s$ were detected by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry to investigate the underlying mechanisms of coat color in white and black skin tissues of mice. qPCR and western blot results suggested that $Gn{\alpha}s$ was expressed at significantly higher levels in black mice compared with that of white mice, and transcripts and protein possessed the same expression in both colors. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated $Gn{\alpha}s$ staining in the root sheath and dermal papilla in hair follicle of mice skins. The results indicated that the $Gn{\alpha}s$ gene was expressed in both white and black skin tissues, and the expression level of $Gn{\alpha}s$ in the two types of color was different. Therefore, $Gn{\alpha}s$ may be involved in the coat color formation in mice.