Specifying and Sustaining Pigmentation Patterns in Domestic and Wild Cats

Authors

• Christopher B. Kaelin, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology; Stanford University
• Xiao Xu, National Cancer Institute at Frederick; Sichuan University - China
• Lewis Z. Hong, Stanford University
• Victor A. David, National Cancer Center at Frederick
• Kelly A. McGowan, Stanford University
• A. Schmidt-Kunzel, National Cancer Institute at Frederick; Cheetah Conservation Fund - Namibia
• Melody E. Roelke, National Cancer Institute at Frederick
• Javier Pino, Florida International University
• J. U. Pontius, National Cancer Institute at Frederick
• Gregory M. Cooper, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
• Hermogenes Manuel, Stanford University
• William Swanson, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
• L. Marker, Cheetah Conservation Fund - Namibia
• Cindy K. Harper, University of Pretoria - South Africa
• Ann van Dyk, Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Center - South Africa
• Bisong Yue, Sichuan University - China
• James C. Mullikin, National Institutes of Health at Rockville
• Wesley C. Warren, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
• Eduardo Eizirik, PUCRS - Brazil; Instituto Pro-Carnovoros - Brazil
• Lidia Kos, Florida International University
• Stephen J. O'Brien, National Cancer Institute at FrederickFollow
• Gregory S. Barsh, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology; Stanford University
• Marilyn Menotti-Raymond, National Cancer Institute at Frederick

ORCID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

9-21-2012

Abstract

Color markings among felid species display both a remarkable diversity and a common underlying periodicity. A similar range of patterns in domestic cats suggests a conserved mechanism whose appearance can be altered by selection. We identified 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 identified 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 ofEndothelin3 (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.

Volume

337

Issue

6101

First Page

1536

Last Page

1541

Additional Comments

National Cancer Institute contract #: N01-CO-12400

NSUWorks Citation

Kaelin, Christopher B.; Xiao Xu; Lewis Z. Hong; Victor A. David; Kelly A. McGowan; A. Schmidt-Kunzel; Melody E. Roelke; Javier Pino; J. U. Pontius; Gregory M. Cooper; Hermogenes Manuel; William Swanson; L. Marker; Cindy K. Harper; Ann van Dyk; Bisong Yue; James C. Mullikin; Wesley C. Warren; Eduardo Eizirik; Lidia Kos; Stephen J. O'Brien; Gregory S. Barsh; and Marilyn Menotti-Raymond. 2012. "Specifying and Sustaining Pigmentation Patterns in Domestic and Wild Cats." Science 337, (6101): 1536-1541. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_bio_facarticles/434