Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
An agouti dog, also called wolf sable. In dogs, the agouti gene is associated with various coat colors and patterns. [10]The alleles at the A locus are related to the production of agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) and determine whether an animal expresses an agouti appearance and, by controlling the distribution of pigment in individual hairs, what type of agouti.
Agouti-signaling protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ASIP gene. [5] [6] It is responsible for the distribution of melanin pigment in mammals.[7] [8] Agouti interacts with the melanocortin 1 receptor to determine whether the melanocyte (pigment cell) produces phaeomelanin (a red to yellow pigment), or eumelanin (a brown to black pigment). [9]
In 2003, Jirtle provided molecular evidence that maternal dietary supplementation of Agouti viable yellow (A vy) mice with methyl donors (i.e. folic acid, choline, vitamin B 12, and betaine) altered the coat color distribution and disease susceptibility in genetically identical offspring by increasing DNA methylation at the A vy locus.
Recently, Hoekstra has found evidence linking the mutation the Agouti gene to survival in mice. [16] More specifically, the study showed how a sequence variant in the Agouti gene changes the phenotype and then linked those changes to changes in population allele frequency, demonstrating evolution of trait by natural selection. [17]
The above is an example of the “agouti” gene locus, whereby the insertion of a transposable element upstream to the Agouti gene is hypermethylated from the supplementation and causes a change in the mice's coat color. Diets containing higher carbohydrate and fat content attempt to mimic typical Western-style diets may also be used in ...
The agouti (/ ə ˈ ɡ uː t iː / ⓘ, ə-GOO-tee) or common agouti is many of several rodent species of the genus Dasyprocta. They are native to Central America , northern and central South America , and the southern Lesser Antilles .
Punnett square for the agouti gene in mice, demonstrating a recessive lethal allele. [2] Lethal alleles were first discovered by Lucien Cuénot in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat colour in mice. The agouti gene in mice is largely responsible for determining coat colour. The wild-type allele produces a blend of yellow and black ...
A cat hair showing agouti coloration A domestic rabbit with agouti coloration. Agouti is a type of fur coloration in which each hair displays two or more bands of pigmentation. [1] [2] The overall appearance of agouti fur is usually gray or dull brown, [3] although dull yellow is also possible.