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Brindle Coat Texture
| Acronym: | BCT |
| Gene: | MBTPS2 |
| Mutation: | c.1437+4T>C |
| Inheritance: | X-linked semi-dominant |
| Sample type: | WBE (Whole Blood EDTA), HA (Hairs - with roots) |
Genetics and characteristics
Aside from coat color, coat texture is another important coat characteristic in horses. Changes in the coat texture and length may indicate changes within the horse and its health, such as nutritional deficiencies, parasites, or other illnesses. However, coat changes may also have a genetic cause as is the case with Brindle Coat Texture. Brindle coat texture is characterized by irregular vertical stripes in their hair coat and different pigmentation along the neck, back, hindquarters, and upper legs. The hairs from the stripes are less straight and unrulier than hairs from the normally pigmented and textured coat. This specific coat texture is caused by a mutation in the MBTPS2 gene, a protein that regulates the expression of enzymes important for cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis.
Brindle coat texture in horses has an X-chromosomal semi-dominant mode of inheritance. Males have only one X chromosome whereas females have two and hence, possible genotypes differ by sex. Brindle coat texture is therefore specific to female horse coats. Female horses that carry one or two mutated MBTPS2 genes will show different coat textures. They will develop brindle coat if they carry one mutated gene. If they carry two mutated genes, they will have a sparse mane and tail, but will not display the brindle coat texture. Male horses with the mutated gene will have a sparse mane and tail, but will not display the brindle coat texture. Early detection by genetic testing can help identify carriers of the mutation and help breeders in further selection of mating pairs.
Results Reported As
Test Result |
Interpretation of test result |
Normal coat texture |
Male or female horse does not have the gene with Brindle associated mutation. Horse will have normal coat texture. |
Brindle coat pattern in female horse |
Female horse has one copy of the gene with Brindle associated mutation. Horse will display Brindle coat pattern. |
Sparse mane and tail in female horse |
Female horse has two copies of the gene with Brindle associated mutation. Horse will have sparse mane and tail and will not display Brindle coat pattern. |
Sparse mane and tail in male horse |
Male horse has one copy of the gene with Brindle associated mutation. Horse will have sparse mane and tail and will not display Brindle coat pattern. |
References:
Murgiano, L., Waluk, D. P., Towers, R., Wiedemar, N., Dietrich, J., Jagannathan, V., Drögemüller, M., Balmer, P., Druet, T., Galichet, A., Penedo, M. C., Müller, E. J., Roosje, P., Welle, M. M., Leeb, T. (2016). An Intronic MBTPS2 Variant Results in a Splicing Defect in Horses with Brindle Coat Texture. G3 (Bethesda, Md.), 6(9), 2963–2970. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.116.032433