Abstract

The characteristic black phenotype of silky fowl results from extensive melanin deposition in melanocytes and underlies its nutritional value. Pigmentation decline leads to quality deterioration and economic losses, highlighting the importance of understanding melanin deposition in silky fowl. In this study, whole-transcriptome sequencing of Taihe silky fowl, Ningdu yellow chicken, and Commercial broiler was performed to construct a competing endogenous RNA network. A key regulatory axis, LINC60/miR-148b-5p/MC1R, was identified. LINC60 and MC1R were significantly upregulated in silky fowl. Functional assays in primary melanocytes demonstrated that LINC60 and MC1R promoted melanin deposition, whereas miR-148b-5p exerted an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, miR-148b-5p was confirmed to directly target MC1R, while LINC60 acts as a molecular sponge to relieve miR-148b-5p–mediated repression of MC1R. Collectively, these findings elucidate the molecular basis of the defining black trait of silky fowl and provide insight into the genetic regulation of its appearance and associated nutritional traits.