There are several loci controlling the feather color of birds, of which one of the most studied is Extended black (E) encoding the melanocortin 1-receptor (MC1R). Mutations in this gene affect the relative distribution of eumelanin, phaeomelanin. The association of feather color and sequence polymorphism in the melanocortin 1-receptor (MC1R) gene was investigated using Korean native chicken H breed (H_PL) and 'Woorimatdag' commercial chickens (Woorimatdag_CC). In order to correlate gene mutation to Korean native chicken feather color, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) from MC1R gene sequence were investigated. A total of 307 birds from H_PL and Woorimatdag_CC were used. H_PL have black, black-brown feather color and Woorimatdag_CC have black with brown spots or brown with black spots. There are 6 SNPs in MC1R gene, locus T69C, C212T, A274G, G376A, G636A, T637C. 3 SNPs are nonsynonymous that change amino acid. But it is difficult to find correlation of feather color and polymorphisms. It will be needed to increase the population of Korean native chicken H breed and correlation analysis of genetic variation with feather colors.(Key words : Korean Native Chickens, feather color, MC1R, SNP) † To whom correspondence should be addressed : leekt@korea.kr

Tyrosinase (TYR) gene is located on chromosome 1 in chicken and it is composed of five exons and four introns. TYR gene is described as a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. Most examples of complete albinism in chicken have been due to defects in the tyrosinase gene. The association of feather color and sequence polymorphism in the Tyrosinase (TYR) gene was investigated using Korean Native chicken H breed (H_PL), Korean Native chicken L/W breed(L/W_PL) and 'Woorimatdag' commercial chickens (Woorimatdag_CC). From L_PL and W_PL breed analyses, 4 synonymous SNPs (locus G33A, G116A, C217T and C247T) and 2 SNPs (G838A and G958A) were detected in 4th exon and 4th intron of TYR gene respectively. The genotype frequencies for 6 SNPs were compared between L_PL and W_PL and W_PL represented homozygous SNP types in all the analyzed SNP positions while L_PL displayed various SNP types.