Coat variation in the domestic dog is governed by variants in three genes.
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.
Cadieu
Edouard
E
National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Neff
Mark W
MW
Quignon
Pascale
P
Walsh
Kari
K
Chase
Kevin
K
Parker
Heidi G
HG
Vonholdt
Bridgett M
BM
Rhue
Alison
A
Boyko
Adam
A
Byers
Alexandra
A
Wong
Aaron
A
Mosher
Dana S
DS
Elkahloun
Abdel G
AG
Spady
Tyrone C
TC
André
Catherine
C
Lark
K Gordon
KG
Cargill
Michelle
M
Bustamante
Carlos D
CD
Wayne
Robert K
RK
Ostrander
Elaine A
EA
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000235:genetics*; D051521:Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 / Q000235:genetics*; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006197:Hair / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D006239:Haplotypes; D053564:Keratins, Hair-Specific / Q000235:genetics*; D008126:Lod Score; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D019699:Thrombospondins / Q000235:genetics*; D014481:United States
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D053564:Keratins, Hair-Specific; D019699:Thrombospondins; D051521:Fibroblast Growth Factor 5