Is there a reason why orange cats are so aggressive?

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

The orange fur of the cat turned out to be a mystery.

A groundbreaking discovery about cat fur color.

Two new studies published on the bioRxiv archive from Greg Barsh's lab at Stanford University (USA) and Hiroyuki Sasaki's team at Kyushu University (Japan) have identified the Arhgap36 gene as the determinant of 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 Arhgap36 gene located on the X chromosome is the determining factor in their coat color.

"This explains why only female cats can have tricolor (black/orange/white) or bicolor (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 calico cats

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

In male cats carrying the Arhgap36 gene mutation and the orange patches of fur in calico cats, this mutation inhibits eumelanin production and allows pheomelanin production.

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

The study concluded: "The earlier the inactivation occurs, the larger the spots. Conversely, later inactivation produces smaller spots."

This research has opened 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 the complex genetic phenomenon in cats but also provides insight into the evolution of pigment regulation mechanisms in mammals.

This could serve as a foundation for further research on color genetics in other animal species, while also contributing to clarifying 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