Genetic analysis of the KIT and MC1R coat colour affecting genes in the Nero Siciliano pig breed and perspectives on the use of mutations at these two loci for breed traceability

In this study we analysed two coat colour affecting genes, KIT and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), with the aim to i) characterize the Nero Siciliano (Sicilian Black) pig breed at these two loci, ii) identify mutations associated with the presence of white coat colour patterns in some animals of this breed and iii) identify DNA markers useful for breed traceability of meat obtained from Nero Siciliano pigs. Two samples were considered in this study: 104 pigs collected from 13 different farms, without recorded information on coat colour; ii) 60 pigs sampled from 2 farms with recorded coat colour data. Four alleles (ED2, EP, ED and e) have been identified at the MC1R locus, thus markers at this gene cannot be used for Nero Siciliano product traceability. All analysed animals did not carry the exon/intron 17 splice site mutation of the KIT gene. Thus, the meat of Nero Siciliano pigs could be distinguished from meat of white pigs that have this mutation. As only 4 out of 12 pigs with white patches were the only carriers of the Ip allele at the KIT locus, white coat colour portions in this breed may be also determined by other mutation(s) of the KIT gene or influenced by different genes.