Molecular cloning and characterization of the EDNRB gene in goat (Capra hircus)

Endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) signaling is believed to play an important role in the proliferation andmigration of the neural crest–derived cells which differentiate into a wide variety of cell types includingepidermal and choroidal pigment cells. This study aimed to analyze the structure of the 5´ flanking andexonic region of the EDNRB gene in goat comparing with that of in cattle. By designing the gene specificprimers using in silico search, these regions were amplified, cloned and sequenced in Marghoz goat andHolstein. The results identified that this gene in goat and cattle consisted of 1321 coding sequence inwhich encode a protein of 441 amino acids. Multi alignment analysis of EDNRB amino acid sequencesrevealed highly similarity sequence and highly conserved domains between goat and cattle. A total of 55transitions and 43 transversions were observed in the 5´ and 3´ flanking and exonic regions. Among thesix coding mutations in goat EDNRB gene, a missense mutation of C236T resulted in substitution ofAlanine-79 to Valine. This mutation may serve as potential candidate genetic marker for coat relatedidentification in goat populations. Promoter region of the gene harbors two GC rich conserved motifs andtranscription factor binding sites for GATA and SP1 in both species which may be crucial for conductingthe expression of the gene. The dN / dS ratio demonstrates that this gene has been under purifying selectionduring evolution.