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A New Mutation in the MC1R Gene Leads to Unique Carnelian Color in Kurilian Bobtails

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Abstract

The Kurilian Bobtail is an endemic breed of short-tailed cats of Russian breeding, whose phenotype includes variations of red color from strong red to smoky gold. In this breed, we identified a new mutation in the MC1R gene, which leads to inactivation of eumelanin synthesis in hair follicle melanocytes and a change in color to red, defined as carnelian.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to the vice-president of AKLK Kotofey, felinologist, WCF international expert in all groups of cats O.S. Mironova, breeder of the Kurilian Bobtail cats of the MauKuril cattery V.O. Gubina, and photographer T. Nikitina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Veterinary Genetics ZOOGEN, 194156, St. Petersburg, Russia

    E. O. Bychkova, N. A. Golubeva, E. A. Filippova, L. O. Sangina & A. V. Markov

  2. Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia

    E. O. Bychkova & A. V. Markov

  3. AKLK Kotofey, 190000 , St. Petersburg, Russia

    N. A. Golubeva

Authors
  1. E. O. Bychkova
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  2. N. A. Golubeva
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  3. E. A. Filippova
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  4. L. O. Sangina
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  5. A. V. Markov
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Correspondence to E. O. Bychkova.

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Conflicts of interest. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Statement on the welfare of animals. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for animal care and use have been followed.

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Translated by K. Lazarev

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Bychkova, E.O., Golubeva, N.A., Filippova, E.A. et al. A New Mutation in the MC1R Gene Leads to Unique Carnelian Color in Kurilian Bobtails. Russ J Genet 56, 108–111 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795420010020

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795420010020

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