A deletion in ARHGAP36 creates orange fur (IMAGE)
Caption
Calico cats have X chromosomes that have two variants of the gene ARHGAP36. In orange patches of fur, the active chromosome (red) contains a deletion mutation in ARHGAP36, which increases its expression and reduces the activity of melanogenesis genes. This leads to higher levels of pheomelanin, resulting in ginger fur. In black patches of fur, the active chromosome (red) does not contain the deletion, and ARHGAP36 is suppressed. The activity of melanogenesis genes remains high, and eumelanin is produced, resulting in black fur.
Credit
Hiroyuki Sasaki/Kyushu University
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