A Splice Variant in KRT71 Is Associated with Curly Coat Phenotype of Selkirk Rex Cats

June 2013 in “ Scientific Reports ”

Barbara Gandolfi, Hasan Alhaddad, Shannon E K Joslin, Razib Khan, Serina Filler, Gottfried Brem, Leslie A. Lyons

KRT71 gene curly coat phenotype genome-wide case-control association study haplotype Selkirk Rex cats cat chromosome B4 curly hair gene curly fur

TLDR A gene variant in KRT71 causes the curly fur in Selkirk Rex cats.

A study on the Selkirk Rex breed, known for its tightly curled hair, identified a splice site variant in the KRT71 gene associated with this curly coat phenotype. The research involved a genome-wide case-control association study with 9 curly-coated Selkirk Rex cats and 29 controls from related breeds. A significant association was found on cat chromosome B4, with a unique haplotype spanning ~600 Kb present in all curly-coated cats. This finding highlighted the genetic basis for the distinctive fur of the Selkirk Rex breed.

View this study on nature.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research The Naked Truth: Sphynx and Devon Rex Cat Breed Mutations in KRT71

75 citations, October 2010 in “Mammalian genome”

Sphynx cats are hairless and Devon Rex cats have curly hair due to specific genetic mutations.

research APCDD1 Is a Novel Wnt Inhibitor Mutated in Hereditary Hypotrichosis Simplex

199 citations, April 2010 in “Nature”

A gene called APCDD1, which controls hair growth, is found to be faulty in a type of hair loss called hereditary hypotrichosis simplex.

Loss-Of-Function Mutations of an Inhibitory Upstream ORF in the Human Hairless Transcript Cause Marie Unna Hereditary Hypotrichosis

research Loss-Of-Function Mutations of an Inhibitory Upstream ORF in the Human Hairless Transcript Cause Marie Unna Hereditary Hypotrichosis

181 citations, January 2009 in “Nature Genetics”

Certain mutations in a hair growth-related gene cause a type of genetic hair loss.

research Mutations in the Helix Termination Motif of Mouse Type I IRS Keratin Genes Impair the Assembly of Keratin Intermediate Filament

27 citations, November 2007 in “Genomics”

Mutations in specific keratin genes cause improper hair structure in mice due to faulty keratin protein assembly.

research Molecular Principles of Hair Follicle Induction and Morphogenesis

479 citations, January 2005 in “BioEssays”

Hair follicle development is controlled by interactions between skin tissues and specific molecular signals.

research Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Hair Follicle Development

854 citations, February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Understanding hair follicle development can help treat hair loss, skin regeneration, and certain skin cancers.

research The Secret Life of the Hair Follicle

745 citations, February 1992 in “Trends in genetics”

Hair follicles create different cell layers and proteins, controlled by various molecules.

Similar Research

5 / 471 results

research A KRT71 Loss-of-Function Variant Results in Inner Root Sheath Dysplasia and Recessive Congenital Hypotrichosis of Hereford Cattle

2 citations, July 2021 in “Genes”

A specific genetic change in the KRT71 gene causes a hair loss condition in Hereford cattle.

Tracing Selection Signatures in the Pig Genome Provides Evidence for Selective Pressures on a Unique Curly Hair Phenotype in Mangalitza

research Tracing Selection Signatures in the Pig Genome Provides Evidence for Selective Pressures on a Unique Curly Hair Phenotype in Mangalitza

8 citations, December 2020 in “Scientific reports”

Selective breeding caused the unique curly hair in Mangalitza pigs.

research An Epistatic Effect of KRT25 on SP6 Is Involved in Curly Coat in Horses

13 citations, April 2018 in “Scientific Reports”

The genes KRT25 and SP6 affect curly hair in horses, with KRT25 also causing hair loss. If both genes are mutated, the horse gets curly hair and hair loss. KRT25 can hide the effect of SP6.

research Biology and Genetics of Hair

89 citations, September 2010 in “Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics”

The document concludes that understanding the genes and pathways involved in hair growth is crucial for developing treatments for hair diseases.

research The Biology of Hair Diversity

47 citations, January 2013 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Hair diversity is influenced by complex genetics and environmental factors, requiring more research for practical solutions.