Deciphering the genetics of orange coat color in domestic cats
This project aims to elucidate the genetic mechanisms governing coat color variation in domestic cats (Felis catus), focusing on the X-linked orange (O) locus, which is critical for the differential production of eumelanin and pheomelanin. Using a comprehensive approach that includes whole-genome sequencing (WGS), whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we aim to identify candidate genes and regulatory elements associated with the O locus. The integration of these sequencing technologies will allow a multidimensional analysis of genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic data to improve our understanding of color patterning in cats.