TICA Science Newsletter Extra: Cat Color Pattern Development & Ticked Tabby Gene
By Anthony Hutcherson
Greg Barsh, MD PhD, Chris Kaelin PhD and Kelly Mc Gowan PhD recently published “Developmental Genetics of Color Pattern Establishment in Cats”, a groundbreaking new insight into cat fetal development and color pattern establishment, including the newly identified genetic variants for ticking, in the scientific journal Nature, Sept. 7 2021.
All three scientists have extensively studied, discovered, and published research on the genetic variants, mechanisms, and pathways responsible for beautiful diversity of colors and patterns. Read more in the open access article.
TICA Members, CFA participants, feral cat advocates, pedigreed cat breeders, and enthusiasts contributed samples for the research covered in September 2021 that was published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Popular Science, CNET, among other outlets.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with the authors on their findings for the December 2021 issue of TICA’s Science newsletter. The issue will feature a rundown of the all the new feline variants, mutations and genes identified 2019 – 2021. Here’s a sneak peek into our conversation:
Q: Your research presents a pivotal developmental period in color pattern determination in cats. How much of what you determined is applicable across all breeds and all species of cats? Chris Kaelin PhD: Mutations in the tabby gene alter color patterns, not only in (domestic) cats, but also in cheetahs and tigers. The article “High frequency of an otherwise rare phenotype in a small and isolated tiger population” is strong evidence that the same genes and pathways are responsible for color patterns in all cat species.
Q: Based upon your ongoing research including analysis of thousands of cat genomes, refining fetal feline developmental stages and seeing so many cats in person, how surprising were these findings for you and your colleagues? Kelly McGowan PhD: For a long time the research felt like a jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece. The Dkk4 gene was the missing piece that connected the developmental studies to the genetic studies in a way that revealed a tremendous amount about how color patterns form.
Q: Feral cats, shelter cats, rescue cats, Abyssinians, Bengals, Burmese, Egyptian Maus, Ocicats, Oriental Shorthairs, Savannahs and Singapuras were mentioned in the Nature article. How important is the cat community such as pedigree cat breeders, enthusiasts, non-pedigree owners & advocates, in your ongoing research? Chris Kaelin PhD: None of the research is possible without the collaboration and support of the cat community. We are incredibly grateful to TICA and the many cat breeders who have participated over the years.
Q: How can interested people keep up with your work or participate in future research? Greg Barsh, MD PhD: Please reach out by email (kaelin@stanford.edu, gbarsh@hudsonalpha.org). We are always excited to share our research or talk about unusual color patterns in cats.
For more information about the fascinating genetic pigment and pattern discoveries by this team and other researchers listen to the first season of the podcast “Tiny Expeditions” on your favorite podcast streaming platform.
Dr. Chris Kaelin will also be presenting an educational seminar in conjunction with the Tabby Tail cat show, December 3-4 in Exton, PA. Stay tuned for more updates.
