A Deletion in Exon 9 of the LIPH Gene Is Responsible for the Rex Hair Coat Phenotype in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
2011

Rex Hair Coat Trait in Rabbits Linked to LIPH Gene Mutation

Sample size: 403 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Diribarne Mathieu, Mata Xavier, Chantry-Darmon Céline, Vaiman Anne, Auvinet Gérard, Bouet Stéphan, Deretz Séverine, Cribiu Edmond-Paul, de Rochambeau Hubert, Allain Daniel, Guérin Gérard

Primary Institution: INRA, Jouy-en-Josas, France

Hypothesis

The study aims to identify the gene responsible for the rex hair coat phenotype in rabbits.

Conclusion

A deletion in the LIPH gene is responsible for the rex hair coat phenotype in rabbits.

Supporting Evidence

  • The deletion of a single nucleotide in LIPH exon 9 leads to a frameshift and a premature stop codon.
  • The mutation was found in a homozygous state in all rex rabbits tested.
  • The study confirmed the recessive inheritance of the rex phenotype through segregation analysis.

Takeaway

This study found that a specific gene mutation causes the soft fur of rex rabbits, making them different from normal rabbits.

Methodology

The researchers used a positional cloning approach and fine mapping to identify the gene and mutation associated with the rex phenotype.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on a specific genetic trait and may not account for other factors influencing hair coat characteristics.

Participant Demographics

The study involved different strains of rabbits, including 187 rabbits for genome scanning and additional rabbits for fine mapping.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0019281

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