White coat color of a Black Angus calf attributed to an occurrence of the delR217 variant of MITF

Authors

Jessica Lynn Petersen, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Renae L. Sieck, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
David J. Steffen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

4-1-2023

Citation

Animal Genetics. 2023;00:1–4. DOI: 10.1111/age.13327

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

A white calf, with minimal pigmented markings, was born to two registered Black Angus parents. Given the possibility of an unknown recessive or de novo dominant mutation, whole-genome sequencing was conducted on the trio of individuals. A 3-bp in-frame deletion in MITF was identified; this mutation was unique to the calf but identical to the delR217 variant reported in both humans and murine models of Waardenburg syndrome type 2A and Tietz syndrome. Given the coat color phenotype and identity of the mutation, our data support that this calf represents the first instance of this recurring MITF mutation in cattle.