Title

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

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-21-2012

Publication Title

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

Volume

337

Issue/No.

6101

First Page

1536

Last Page

1541

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.

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

ORCID ID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015