Specifying and sustaining pigmentation patterns in domestic and wild cats

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Authors

Kaelin, Christopher B.
Xu, Xiao
Hong, Lewis Z.
David, Victor A.
McGowan, Kelly A.
Schmidt-Küntzel, Anne
Roelke, Melody E.
Pino, Javier
Pontius, Joan
Cooper, Gregory M.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Abstract

Color markings among felid species display both a remarkable diversity and a common underlying periodicity. A similar range of patterns within domestic cats suggests a conserved mechanism whose appearance can be altered by selection. We identify the gene responsible for tabby pattern variation in domestic cats as Transmembrane aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep), which encodes a membrane-bound metalloprotease. Analyzing 31 other felid species we identify Taqpep as the cause of the rare king cheetah phenotype, in which spots coalesce into blotches and stripes. Histologic, genomic expression, and transgenic mouse studies indicate that paracrine expression of Endothelin3 (Edn3) coordinates localized color differences. We propose a two-stage model in which Taqpep helps to establish a periodic pre-pattern during skin development that is later implemented by differential expression of Edn3.

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Keywords

Mammalian color patterns, Genetic crosses, Domestic cats (Felis catus), Color markings

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Kaelin, CB, Xu, X, Hong, LZ, David, VA, McGowan, KA, Schmidt-Küntzel, A, Roelke, ME, Pino, J, Pontius, J, Cooper, GM, Manuel, H, Swanson, WF, Marker, L, Harper, CK, Van Dyk, A, Yue, BS, Mullikin, JC, Warren, WC, Eizirik, E, Kos, L, O'Brien, SJ, Barsh, GS & Menotti-Raymond, M 2012, 'Specifying and sustaining pigmentation patterns in domestic and wild cats', Science, vol. 337, no. 6101, pp. 1536-1541.