Scientists Have Finally Found the Gene That Gives Cats Orange Fur (science.org)
(Sunday December 01, 2024 @11:17PM (EditorDavid)
from the tell-Garfield dept.)
- Reference: 0175576007
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/02/0042231/scientists-have-finally-found-the-gene-that-gives-cats-orange-fur
- Source link: https://www.science.org/content/article/gene-behind-orange-fur-cats-found-last
Slashdot reader [1]sciencehabit writes:
> Most orange cats are boys, a quirk of feline genetics that also explains why almost all calicos and tortoiseshells are girls. Scientists curious about those sex differences—or perhaps just cat lovers—have spent more than 60 years unsuccessfully seeking the gene that causes orange fur and the striking patchwork of colors in calicos and tortoiseshells. Now, [2]two teams have independently found the long-awaited mutation and discovered a protein that influences hair color in a way never seen before in any animal... Using skin samples collected from various cats, the researchers were able to hone in a mutation on the X chromosome that impacts how much of a protein a gene called Arhgap36 produces. Increasing the amount of the Arhgap36 in pigment producing cells called melanocytes activates a molecular pathway that produces a light red pigment.
"Scanning a database of 188 cat genomes, Barsh's team found every single orange, calico, and tortoiseshell cat had the exact same mutation," [3]writes Science magazine . "The group reports the discovery this month [4]on the preprint server bioRxiv . A separate study, also posted to bioRxiv this month, [5]confirms these findings ... They also found that skin from calico cats had more Arghap36 RNA in orange regions than in brown or black regions."
> Arhgap36's inactivation pattern in calicos and tortoiseshells is typical of a gene on the X chromosome, says Carolyn Brown [a University of British Columbia geneticist who was not involved in either study], but it's unusual that a deletion mutation would make a gene more active, not less. "There is probably something special about cats." Experts are thrilled by the two studies. "It's a long-awaited gene," says Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist at the University of Missouri. The discovery of a new molecular pathway for hair color was unexpected, she says, but she's not surprised how complex the interactions seem to be. "No gene ever stands by itself."
>
> Lyons would like to know where and when the mutation first appeared: There is some evidence, she says, that certain mummified Egyptian cats were orange. Research into cat color has revealed all kinds of phenomena, she says, including how the environment influences gene expression. "Everything you need to know about genetics you can learn from your cat."
[1] https://www.slashdot.org/~sciencehabit
[2] https://www.science.org/content/article/gene-behind-orange-fur-cats-found-last
[3] https://www.science.org/content/article/gene-behind-orange-fur-cats-found-last
[4] https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.21.624608v1.full.pdf
[5] https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.19.624036v1.full.pdf
> Most orange cats are boys, a quirk of feline genetics that also explains why almost all calicos and tortoiseshells are girls. Scientists curious about those sex differences—or perhaps just cat lovers—have spent more than 60 years unsuccessfully seeking the gene that causes orange fur and the striking patchwork of colors in calicos and tortoiseshells. Now, [2]two teams have independently found the long-awaited mutation and discovered a protein that influences hair color in a way never seen before in any animal... Using skin samples collected from various cats, the researchers were able to hone in a mutation on the X chromosome that impacts how much of a protein a gene called Arhgap36 produces. Increasing the amount of the Arhgap36 in pigment producing cells called melanocytes activates a molecular pathway that produces a light red pigment.
"Scanning a database of 188 cat genomes, Barsh's team found every single orange, calico, and tortoiseshell cat had the exact same mutation," [3]writes Science magazine . "The group reports the discovery this month [4]on the preprint server bioRxiv . A separate study, also posted to bioRxiv this month, [5]confirms these findings ... They also found that skin from calico cats had more Arghap36 RNA in orange regions than in brown or black regions."
> Arhgap36's inactivation pattern in calicos and tortoiseshells is typical of a gene on the X chromosome, says Carolyn Brown [a University of British Columbia geneticist who was not involved in either study], but it's unusual that a deletion mutation would make a gene more active, not less. "There is probably something special about cats." Experts are thrilled by the two studies. "It's a long-awaited gene," says Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist at the University of Missouri. The discovery of a new molecular pathway for hair color was unexpected, she says, but she's not surprised how complex the interactions seem to be. "No gene ever stands by itself."
>
> Lyons would like to know where and when the mutation first appeared: There is some evidence, she says, that certain mummified Egyptian cats were orange. Research into cat color has revealed all kinds of phenomena, she says, including how the environment influences gene expression. "Everything you need to know about genetics you can learn from your cat."
[1] https://www.slashdot.org/~sciencehabit
[2] https://www.science.org/content/article/gene-behind-orange-fur-cats-found-last
[3] https://www.science.org/content/article/gene-behind-orange-fur-cats-found-last
[4] https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.21.624608v1.full.pdf
[5] https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.19.624036v1.full.pdf
Leslie Lyons (Score:2)
by phantomfive ( 622387 )
> Experts are thrilled by the two studies. "It's a long-awaited gene," says Leslie Lyons , a feline geneticist at the University of Missouri. The discovery of a new molecular pathway for hair color was unexpected, she says, but she's not surprised how complex the interactions seem to be. "No gene ever stands by itself."
After the press interview, Leslie shook her mane and walked off the stage.
Re: (Score:1)
by Iamthecheese ( 1264298 )
We don't know which pieces of the puzzle of genetics we need to solve the big problems like senescence. Until we do know it's all valuable. Basic biology research is incredibly valuable in terms of reducing misery, enriching humanity, extending lives, and creating happiness.
The Brain Cell (Score:2)
by Strider- ( 39683 )
Is this the same gene that causes all of the orange cats to share a single brain cell?
Lyons? (Score:5, Funny)
> "It's a long-awaited gene," says Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist
Is this timeline even real?
Does the President-Elect have this gene?
Re:Lyons? (Score:4, Interesting)
About 17 genes are thought to control cat coat genetics [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org] With this finding, only 4 remain to be identified. Orange was the most important, and I would say the Spotted modifier is next on the list.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_coat_genetics#Loci_for_coat_colour,_type_and_length
Re: (Score:2)
What I found interesting is when I read that all cats are striped. Something like solid color cats just have very wide stripes that touch each other. In bright enough light, you can still see there are stripes. And spotted cats just have stripes that are truncated. It is interesting how much variety you can get from just modifying certain simple parameters.
I think the most fascinating coloring is that some hairs can have more than one color on each strand. It is called "ticked" or "agouti" and it is no
Re: (Score:1, Offtopic)
> Does the President-Elect have this gene?
Only if he decides to adopt an orange cat.
Mods on crack tonight (Score:2)
According to ChatGPT:
The gene responsible for "ginger" human coloration and the orange coat color in domestic cats is not the same, but they involve analogous genetic mechanisms related to melanin production.
So nope, unless the president-elect was the result of some experimentation by a time-traveling mad geneticist, we're right back to the only way you'd find those feline genes on him is if he adopted an orange cat and it shed on him.
I like a good Trump joke as much as the next man, but as the great ICP on
Re: (Score:1)
Does this gene also includes hypocrite? Remember he opened that door for pardons of criminals in first place.
Re: Lyons? (Score:2)
No. Orangutan genes are very different.