Identification of MC1R alleles may provide insight into causation of the color variation in Nerodia clarkia

Andrea Gaynor

The goal of this research project is to determine if the gene MC1R is responsible for the color variation in Nerodia clarkia by identifying the two alleles and determining whether their inheritance correlates with the phenotypic inheritance. MC1R is a receptor gene that is known to play a key role in regulating the production of pigment in vertebrates. MC1R DNA will be amplified by PCR from individual animals to be inserted into the pBluescript plasmid. The plasmid will then be propagated in E. coli; an individual colony will only be carrying a single allele of the gene. The snake DNA will be sequenced separately to identify the two alleles for each individual animal. The sequencing data found will be used to determine the genotype of each animal compared to their phenotypes. The comparison between the phenotypic inheritance of the coloration and the allelic inheritance will help to determine if MC1R is responsible for the snakes’ color variation.

• Andrea Gaynor is currently a junior in biology with an emphasis in genetics and a minor in chemistry. She is a member of the Tribeta Honor Society and aspires to have a career focused on research.