The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) plays an important role in regulation of melanin pigment synthesis within mammalian melanocytes. Mutations within the gene encoding MC1R have been shown to explain coat color variations within several mammalian species including cattle. To develope a rapid and accurate method for the identification of Hanwoo meat, we performed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis in Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene using TaqMan∨® MGB probe-based real-time PCR. Two specific probes (one for Hanwoo and the other for Holstein and Black angus) were designed.

Here I describe a multiplex allele specific PCR-based approach for the rapid detection between Hanwoo and Holstein meat associated with Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene. Specific and universal oligonucleotide primers were used in combination to detect the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism within the bovine MC1R DNA sequence. The presence of the bovine MC1R gene is indicated by the production of a single control PCR product, whilst positive samples generate an alternative smaller specific product over the same region. The mutations in MC1R104 codon revealed depending on the presence or absence of an indicative fragment amplified from the wild-type allele of this codon.

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) plays an important role in regulation of melanin pigment synthesis within mammalian melanocytes. Mutations within the gene encoding MC1R have been shown to explain coat color variations within several mammalian species including cattle. To develope a rapid and accurate method for the identification of Hanwoo, we performed a modified PCR-RFLP analysis of MC1R gene using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within MC1R as a target. A size of 538 bp (537 bp for Hanwoo) was amplified by PCR, digested with Hpa Ⅱ, and electrophoresed on a 1.5% agarose gel. A PCR product from Hanwoo showed a single band of 537 bp, whereas two fragments of 328 bp and 210 bp were detected in both Holstein and Black angus.