TLDR Gene expression, especially Dkk4, is key to cat color patterns.
The study investigated the developmental genetics of color pattern establishment in cats, focusing on the role of gene expression during fetal development. Researchers found that stripe-like alterations in epidermal thickness occur early in development, preceded by a gene expression pre-pattern. The secreted Wnt inhibitor encoded by Dickkopf 4 (Dkk4) was identified as a key player in this process, with mutations in Dkk4 linked to the Ticked pattern type in cats. The findings provided molecular insights into the formation of color patterns, such as spots in leopards, and suggested that similar mechanisms might be responsible for periodic color patterning and hair follicle spacing in other mammals.
133 citations
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February 2019 in “PLoS Biology” Feather patterns in birds are shaped by signaling interactions and cell movements, with EDA/EDAR crucial for pattern formation.
149 citations
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July 2017 in “PLoS Biology” Hair follicle patterns form through a mix of self-organization and signaling interactions.
43 citations
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January 2016 in “Development” LHX2 is essential for hair follicle development, controlled by NF-κB and TGFβ2 signaling.
11 citations
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May 2010 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” Two genes, Tabby and Ticked, determine cat coat patterns.
193 citations
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May 2008 in “Development” Activating β-catenin can turn skin cells into hair follicles.
22 citations
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March 2019 in “The Journal of Cell Biology” The Wave complex controls skin growth by suppressing certain signals.
103 citations
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November 2014 in “Journal of Cell Biology” MicroRNA-214 is important for skin and hair growth because it affects the Wnt pathway.
173 citations
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January 2014 in “Nature Cell Biology” Wnt signaling controls whether hair follicle stem cells stay inactive or regenerate hair.
223 citations
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January 2014 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” The conclusion is that proper signaling is crucial for hair growth and development, and errors can lead to cancer or hair loss.
314 citations
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April 2010 in “Developmental Cell” β-catenin in the dermal papilla is crucial for normal hair growth and repair.
137 citations
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September 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” The HR protein helps hair grow by blocking a hair growth inhibitor, aiding in hair follicle regeneration.
