Molecular Mechanisms and Gene Regulation of Melanic Plumage Coloration in Birds.

Melanin-based plumage coloration in birds is determined by the ratio and distribution in the feathers of two types of melanin pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin. The review focuses on different aspects of melanogenesis and transport and deposition of melanins, as well as on gene regulation of numerous processes associated with them. Modern concepts on the functional role of candidate genes are presented and the results of the analysis of their variability in representatives of different bird species are described. The data on the use of whole genome and transcriptome analyses to study the molecular genetic bases of the plumage coloration and pattern are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]