thegenecatist

[thegenecatist]

Cat Color Basics: Eumelanin and Phaeomelanin

In mammals, there are a type of cells located in the skin called melanocytes. These cells produce a pigment called melanin which is responsible for the color of their skin and fur. There are two types of melanin; eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is black and brown pigment, while phaeomelenin is red pigment. The wide variety in the color of cats that we see are an outcome from mutations in the genes that result in modifications of pigment production, granule placement, and more.

Eumelanin-based colors

Phaeomelanin-based colors

Note: Breeders may call these colors by other names, such as black being labeled ebony

[thegenecatist]

Terminology

You will need to know these in order to understand the following series.

Gene-a section of DNA that codes for a specific protein

Allele-different variations or forms of a gene For example, chocolate is a variation of black

Mutation-a change in the sequence of DNA that causes a new trait to appear For example, red hair is a mutation on the gene that usually codes for brown/black

Loci-specific spot on a chromosome where a gene dwells

Phenotype-physical expression of a trait on an organism

Genotype-genetic makeup of an organism

Homozygous-when an organism has two alleles of the same trait

Heterozygous-when an organism has two different alleles

Dominant-an allele that masks the expression of another

Recessive-an allele that is masked by another

Co-dominant-when two alleles both express themselves

Incomplete Dominant-when two alleles have an intermediate between them

Polygenic-a spectrum of expression that is not controlled by one gene alone

Sex-linked-when the alleles are located on either of the sex chromosomes-usually on the X-and it can be both dominant and recessive