Fri Dec 06 04:25:18 UTC 2024: **Scientists Crack the Code of Orange Cats**
**Madrid, Spain (Dec. 6, 2024)** – For decades, the genetics behind a cat’s orange coat remained a mystery. Now, two independent studies published on bioRxiv, a preprint server, have identified the gene responsible: Arhgap36. Researchers from Stanford University and Kyushu University have shown that a mutation in this gene blocks the production of eumelanin (a dark pigment) in male cats, allowing the production of pheomelanin (a reddish-orange pigment) instead.
This discovery solves a long-standing puzzle in animal genetics. While the MC1R gene controls melanin production in most mammals, including humans, cats use a different mechanism. The “orange” locus on the X chromosome, previously known to influence coat color but whose underlying gene was unidentified, has now been linked to Arhgap36. The research explains why male cats are either orange or black, while female cats, possessing two X chromosomes, can exhibit the characteristic calico pattern of orange and black patches. This pattern arises from the random inactivation of one X chromosome during development.
The findings shed light not only on feline genetics but also demonstrate the value of fundamental scientific research driven by curiosity. The studies provide a deeper understanding of pigmentation in mammals and offer new insights into gene regulation.
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