Some cultural icons such as Garfield, Boot Cat, Aristokedis’s Toulouse are the common feature of the cooler cat. Scientists from Japan and the United States revealed the mystery of DNA, which gives this remarkable color to male cats.
Researchers found that a part of the genetic codes of Sarman cats were missing. This deficiency causes cells responsible for skin, eye and fur tones to produce lighter colors.
This discovery also delighted thousands of cats, as well as scientists, who have provided mass funds for the study.
Orange Tekir has been known for decades that what gave the distinctive colors to cats has been genetic for decades. However, this genetic code was exactly where DNA was located.
Through this discovery, scientists hope that orange cats can also shed light on whether they carry a higher risk in terms of certain health problems.
The study was conducted by two teams from the University of Kyushu in Japan and Stanford University in the USA. According to the findings of scientists, the cat’s skin, hair follicles and eyes that give the color of melanocyte in the so -called melanocytes, the gene called Arhgap36 was found to be much more active.
Genes, as in all other living things, consist of DNA pieces that give instructions to how cats will work on their cells.
Comparing the DNAs of a large number of cats with orange fur and orange furry, researchers found that a DNA piece in the Arhgap36 gene in the cats with orange color was missing.
Without this piece of DNA, the arhgap36 gene is not suppressed, ie becomes more activated. Scientists believe that this gene instructs melanocytes to produce more open pigments.
Another long -known fact in the world of science is that cats with completely orange color are mostly male. This coincides with the knowledge that the gene is located on the X chromosome.
Chromosomes are larger parts of DNA, and as in other mammals, male cats carry an X and a y chromosome.
Since the gene that controls pigment production is only in the X chromosome, a missing DNA piece can lead to a cat completely orange.
On the other hand, since female cats have two X chromosomes, this deficiency must be present in both chromosomes to increase the production of lighter pigment in the same way. This increases the likelihood of a mixed color.
Genetics from the University of Kyushu. Hiroyuki Sasaki, “These red and black spots, in the early stages of development is caused by a random closure of an X chromosome in each cell,” he says.
“As the cells are divided, this situation creates different patches by creating areas with different active fur color genes.”
Although it is based on a scientific basis, this study. It is also a passion project for Sasaki. Although he retired from his post at the university, he continues to investigate the orange cat gene, hoping that he can “contribute to overcoming cat diseases”.
Prof. Sasaki and his team gathered 10.6 million yen (about 2.8 million TL) by mass funds from thousands of cat lovers around the world for this research.
One donor, “We are two brothers studying in the first and third grade primary school. We donated with our pocket money. Calico cats use in research” message.
The Arhgap36 gene, which is active in many parts of the body, including the brain and hormonal glands, is thought to play an important role in development.
Researchers evaluate that DNA mutation in this gend can lead to other changes in health or temperament in other parts of the body.
Arhgap36 is also available in people and is associated with skin cancer and hair loss.
Prof. “Many cat owners swear that different fur color and patterns are linked to different personalities,” Sasaki says.
“Although there is no scientific evidence yet, this is an interesting idea and I want to investigate it more.”
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