# Integrative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Profiling Identifies PMEL as a Critical Regulator of Melanogenesis in Rex Rabbits

## TL;DR

This study identifies PMEL as a key protein regulating melanin production in rex rabbits, explaining variations in coat color.

## Contribution

The study reveals PMEL as a critical regulator of melanogenesis in rex rabbits through integrative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis.

## Key findings

- PMEL is significantly upregulated in black rex rabbits compared to white ones.
- PMEL overexpression increases melanin content and promotes melanocyte proliferation.
- PMEL knockdown reduces melanin and melanocyte activity while increasing apoptosis.

## Abstract

Coat color is a significant production trait in fur-bearing animals, having a substantial impact on their economic value. The diverse coat colors in rex rabbits provide a valuable resource for investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying coat color formation. In this study, we performed integrated transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of skin tissues from black and white rex rabbits, identifying PMEL as an important regulator of melanogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that PMEL plays a crucial role in melanin synthesis, melanocyte proliferation, and the expression of melanin-related genes, thus shedding light on the genetic basis of coat color variation in rex rabbits. Our results suggest that PMEL contributes to melanogenesis in rex rabbits. We believe that our study will be of great interest to the readers of Animals, given its implications for understanding the genetic control of coat color diversity in fur-bearing animals.

Coat color is a crucial production trait for fur-bearing animals and significantly influences their economic value. The remarkable diversity of coat colors in rex rabbits not only provides a wide range of market options but also serves as an essential resource for investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying coat color formation. In this study, we conducted integrated transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of skin tissues from black and white Rex Rabbits, revealing the presence of 52 co-expressed genes/proteins. Proteomic analysis revealed a significant upregulation of PMEL (p = 0.030, FC = 2.194), while transcriptomic data indicated an even more pronounced upregulation (p = 0.028, FC = 35.279). Therefore, PMEL (Premelanosome Protein) may serve as a pivotal regulator of melanogenesis in Rex Rabbits. Our findings indicate that PMEL overexpression in melanocytes increases melanin content, promotes melanocyte proliferation, and enhances the expression of melanin-related genes (MITF, TYR, TYRP1, and GPNMB) while inhibiting melanocyte apoptosis. Conversely, PMEL knockdown significantly reduces melanin content, melanocyte proliferation, and the expression of melanin-related genes while promoting melanocyte apoptosis. These findings suggest that PMEL contributes to melanogenesis in Rex Rabbits.