Cat Genome Reveals Clues to Domestication

     Although cats have been domesticated for approximately 9,000 years, this is a relatively short time period when compared to other animals like dogs that have been domesticated for at least 18,000 years. In order to find DNA proof of the domestication of cats, the genomes of domestic cats were compared to the genomes of wild cats. By determining which parts of the cat genome changed in response to living with humans, the genetics of domestication can be explored. It was found that the three areas that change the most in response to living with humans were areas involving fear, memory, and reward-seeking. Each of these different behaviors, especially when an animal will do something because it seeks a reward, are thought to be important to the process of domestication.

                               

     In order to determine the specific characteristics of domestication, the genomes of purebred cats were sequenced during the cat genome sequencing project of 2007. It turns out that docility, hair patterns, and hair color are all traits that are linked to domestication. This made sense because modern breeds are bred by humans to have some of these particular characteristics. A breed of cat called Birman were also investigated in this study. This breed of cat is notable for its characteristic white paws. After researching the reason behind this trait, it was found that Birmans have white paws due to just two small changes in the gene associated with hair color. In addition, this genetic change was shown to be present in all Birman cats. Due to this, it can be shown that humans bred these cats selectively for their white paws and that this change in their genome occurred over a short period of time.

    

     I find this article interesting because it describes the relationship between genetics and domestication. By discovering that domestication involves changing a species on a genetic level, it can be concluded that any animal can be domesticated given enough time for these changes to occur. Therefore, by domesticating new animals of different types, humans will be better able to use animals to complete tasks or keep them as pets.

Source: Cat Genome Reveals Clues to Domestication

99 Lives?!

Besides having nine lives, cats surprisingly have some of the same diseases as humans according to recent article Feline Genetics. William Murphy, who is a professor in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, says that studying and researching genetic diseases in cats will give a better perspective of some human diseases as well. That is why he recently started to contribute to the "99 Lives Cat Whole Genome Sequencing Initiative" project where they pounce on the genetic sequences of 99 cats to get more information on the genetics of feline diseases. What they do is take blood samples from different breeds of cats and sequences their genomes. Cat genomes are like maps which can lead to specific genes in multiple breeds, and in turn will show the genetic source of physical traits and health problems.

What the project's goal is to improve on the necessary resources to treat genetics diseases in cats and study their complex traits that may help us humans in the future, according to former UC Davis professor Leslie Lyons. Their first cat to have its genome sequenced is an Abyssinian cat (shown above) named Cinnamon and now all other cats' sequences are being compared to her genome to tidy up the project's information. But just from Cinnamon and her high quality sequence, researchers will now be able to view how cats differentiate on a genetic level and they will also be able to see mutations. Murphy even states that since some of the same diseases in cats are also conveyed in humans, it would be beneficial to study them because it will better our understanding in human diseases as well. But of course, all this research and sequencing are a heavy penny so the "99 Lives" project hopes that other research institutes and universities will put their paws out to help the cause in the future.

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My opinion? I love cats, even though I am slightly allergic, so this article really interested me. I also learned something new, because I had no idea that some health problems in cats were also found in humans. I wish I owned my own researching center so I can help out the "99 Lives" project, because they really have something that could help lots of lives in the future; felines AND humans. 

Link to article: http://www.thebatt.com/news/feline-genetics-1.3141261#.UwPClnm9ZE-

Link to related article featuring Cinnamon by the Genome Research: http://genome.cshlp.org/site/press/CatGenomeSequence.xhtml