Cats are considered “perfect” in terms of their genetic evolution, according to evidence. A veterinary scientist says that studying cats can provide valuable insights into genetics. One cat fur hue, orange, has puzzled scientists for decades due to its sex-linked occurrence in males.
However, two recent studies published in Current Biology have shed light on the mystery. Researchers at Stanford University and Kyushu University found a unique genetic pathway responsible for the orange color in cats. This pathway involves a tiny deletion on the X chromosome that increases activity of the Arhgap36 gene.
The Arhgap36 gene is not typically associated with pigmentation, but it appears to play a role in coaxing melanin-producing cells to produce orange pigment in cats. The discovery provides new insights into feline genetics and sheds light on the long-standing mystery of the orange cat hue.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/this-strange-mutation-explains-the-mystifying-color-of-orange-cats