Is there a reason why orange cats are so 'bullish'?

After years of research, scientists have finally found the gene that determines the orange-yellow coat color in cats - a long-standing genetic mystery in the research community.

The cat's orange fur turns out to be a mystery

Breakthrough discovery about cat fur color

Two new studies published on the bioRxiv repository from Greg Barsh's lab at Stanford University (USA) and Hiroyuki Sasaki's team at Kyushu University (Japan) have identified the gene Arhgap36 as the factor that determines the orange-yellow coat color in cats.

In most mammals, the production of melanin pigments is controlled by the membrane protein MC1R. However, cats have a completely different mechanism. Instead of MC1R, the gene Arhgap36 located on the X chromosome is the factor that determines their coat color.

"This explains why only female cats can have tri-color (black/orange/white) or bi-color (black/orange) coats," the researchers said. Because male cats only have one X chromosome, they usually only have one color - either black or orange.

The uniqueness of the calico cat

Scientists explain that mammals have only two types of melanin pigment: eumelanin, which creates dark brown or black colors, and pheomelanin, which creates yellow, red, or orange colors.

In male cats carrying the Arhgap36 gene mutation and the orange areas of calico cats, this mutation blocks eumelanin production and allows pheomelanin to be produced.

In particular, in calico female cats, random inactivation of one of the two X chromosomes during development creates unique patterns in the coat.

The study found: "The earlier the inactivation occurred, the larger the spots. Conversely, late inactivation produced smaller spots."

This study opens a new chapter in understanding the genetic mechanisms that determine color in cats.

According to scientists, the discovery of the Arhgap36 gene not only explains complex genetic phenomena in cats but also provides insight into the evolution of pigment regulation mechanisms in mammals.

This could lay the foundation for further studies on color genetics in other animals, and contribute to elucidating the relationship between genes and phenotypic expression in the natural world .

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/meo-cam-qua-bao-la-co-ly-do-20241209072203178.htm