Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
    Science. 2009 Oct 2;326(5949):150-3. Epub 2009 Aug 27.

    Coat variation in the domestic dog is governed by variants in three genes.

    Source

    National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

    Abstract

    Coat color and type are essential characteristics of domestic dog breeds. Although the genetic basis of coat color has been well characterized, relatively little is known about the genes influencing coat growth pattern, length, and curl. We performed genome-wide association studies of more than 1000 dogs from 80 domestic breeds to identify genes associated with canine fur phenotypes. Taking advantage of both inter- and intrabreed variability, we identified distinct mutations in three genes, RSPO2, FGF5, and KRT71 (encoding R-spondin-2, fibroblast growth factor-5, and keratin-71, respectively), that together account for most coat phenotypes in purebred dogs in the United States. Thus, an array of varied and seemingly complex phenotypes can be reduced to the combinatorial effects of only a few genes.

    PMID:
    19713490
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    PMCID:
    PMC2897713
    Free PMC Article

    Images from this publication.See all images (3) Free text

    Fig. 1
    Fig. 2
    Fig. 3

      Supplemental Content

      Icon for HighWire Press Icon for PubMed Central
      Write to the Help Desk