"Specifying and Sustaining Pigmentation Patterns in Domestic and Wild Cats" Science 21 September 2012: Vol. Warren, Eduardo Eizirik Lidia Kos, Stephen J. Harper, Ann van Dyk, Bisong Yue, James C. Roelke Javier Pino Joan Pontius, Gregory M. Other genes, not yet identified, would determine further variations in the basic tabby patterns in domestic cats, for example broken stripes, round spots, marbled tabby (Bengal) or pale-centred blotches (Sokoke). Together, Taqpep and Edn3 produced the patterning: Taqpep establishes the type of pattern of stripes or spots in early development while Edn3 appeared to carry this on during growth. Another gene, called Edn3 (Endothelin3), led to the growth of dark fur rather than light fur and coordinated localized colour differences. The Taqpep gene produces an enzyme that diffuses outside of cells, interacting with other molecules. The king cheetah also had a Taqpep mutation while the spotted cheetah had a normal version of the gene. Blotched house cats had mutations in this gene, while striped tabbies did not. The research pointed to a gene they called Taqpep (Transmembrane aminopeptidase Q). They analysed DNA samples from feral cats in northern California and the DNA of cheetahs, including samples from the blotched "king cheetah" (a recessively inherited "classic tabby" version of the cheetah). The researchers looked at cells along the boundaries between light and dark stripes/spots. The researchers noted that cells in the black stripes (or spots in the case of cheetahs) know they are in a black stripe and remember that fact throughout the animal's life so that the pattern grows as the cat grows. The blotched pattern (classic tabby) occurs when a mutation turns that gene off. Cats with narrow stripes (mackerel tabby) have a working copy of the gene. In inheritance terms, mackerel pattern is the dominant "wild type" gene while classic pattern is due to a recessive gene. This is the first "pattern gene" to be identified. In September 2012 researchers announced they had identified the gene that switches between mackerel and classic tabby patterns. GENETICS OF TAQPEP (TABBY PATTERN DEVELOPMENT)
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