cDNA Cloning, Tissue Expression Analysis of MITF Gene in Liancheng White Ducks

The cloning, tissue expression and structural analysis of Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene were conducted in Liancheng white duck, which would provide a theoretical basis for the further research of melanin deposition.The MITF gene from the skin of female ducks was cloned through nested-PCR, and the mRNA expression detected in tissues by qRT-PCR. It was shown that the MITF cDNA was 1 323 bp in length (GenBank No. MG516570) with a complete CDS region (34-1 323 bp) encoding 429 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of MITF was 100% homologous to that of mallard and more than 95% to that of Gallus gallus, but farther from sheep and other mammals. The predicted secondary structure of the protein was mainly random coil and α-helix, while the circular tertiary structure contained two separate helices to form the helix-loop-helix-chain structure. The qRT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression of MITF was significantly higher in the skin than the other organs (P < 0.01) with the relative expressions in the order of skin > kidney > gizzard > liver > muscle. It appeared that the expression of MITF gene was tissue-specific in Liancheng white ducks. The information would aid in the utilization of MITF gene for studies on the melanin deposition and trait selection of the duck.