Gecko Morphs and Genetics!

This article discusses the genetics of a specific leopard gecko morph. In the pet trade, the term morph is utilized to describe different desirable color patterns, usually in which the animal is specifically bred for.

This article explored linkage and homozygosity within said morph. The allele for this more was found to be a spontaneous semidominant mutation. The researchers found that the mutation can be traced back to a locus that contains a tumor suppressor. Additionally, they studied iridophoroma in the geckos, which is the structural production of colors via crystal platelets. They discussed how research regarding specific genes in reptiles is somewhat difficult due to their somewhat long reproductive cycles and stress within laboratory breeding settings.

As someone who owns a gecko, I think that this study is very neat. I like learning about how popularity and phenotypic preference influences the pet trade and associated prices… But I do not exactly approve of breeding geckos, in a general sense. There are just so many health problems regarding breeding in captivity, and especially when it comes to traits like this article discusses. Many desired traits are often associated with chronic or lethal impacts towards the resulting individual. A good example of this is the crossing of two lily white crested geckos- it always results in death of the offspring.

Eublepharis Macularius and Melanoma

Geckos used in the study are a type of leopard geckos called Lemon Frost (Eublepharis macularius), which have white skin that highlights the reptiles' yellow colorings and tends to develop tumors. Researchers from UCLA suggest these Lemon frost traits are present due to a single gene, which has been also implicated in the skin cancer melanoma in people. Mr. Frosty, the Lemon Frost reptile was bred with various female leopard geckos to establish a colony of over 900 lizards. Dr. Steve Sykes and his team of researchers concluded more than 80% of Lemon frost geckos had developed tumors, which were made of white skin cells before the reptiles were 5 years old. The scientists collected DNA from lizards' saliva. 30 geckos that inherited the Lemon Frost traits from both parents, over 100 lizards that inherited traits from one parent, and 40 non-Lemon Frost geckos. next, the genetic material of the reptiles was studied and compared, which enabled scientists to trace the Lemon Frost tumors and coloring to a mutation in a gene called SPINT1.  This gene has been linked to cancer in humans. It has also been linked to tumor formation in fish and mice. 

    To finalize, I do not think geckos are the best example of model organism, given their life span is up to 15 years, however, I understand the purpose of using geckos specifically in this case. Also, the study suggests geckos could also be studied further to examine SPINT1. In my opinion, the scientists' conclusion that the mutation on gene SPINT1 is "the cause" for the tumor growth is not 100% correct. There are many other factors that must be considered when deducing what causes skin cancer, such as environmental settings etc. 

Skin Cancer in Geckos Through the SPINT1 Gene

The SPINT1 gene in geckos leads to a mutation in coloring in the Lemon Frost tumors. This gene is also found to have tumor formation in fish, mice, and humans. In addition, the gene is a very strong inhibitor specific for an activator that is involved in the regulation of injured tissues. This means that if the gene were to be mutated, the skin would not be a certain color and would be completely different.  This mutation causes the overproduction of white skin cells which gives geckos a frostier appearance and the likely chance of contracting a tumor. If a tumor were to form, it would grow into large bulges that would make it very difficult for the lizard to move. If infected, it would be ruptured and would then slowly kill the lizard in the coming years. 

Mr. Frosty, a studied gecko was found to have spots of white skin and was found to develop tumors due to a single gene. This is similar in humans because it is related to the implication in the skin cancer melanoma. Researchers had to uncover the gene responsible for the tumors by collecting the lizards' saliva and testing their DNA. Mr. Frosty was bred with different female leopard geckos which resulted in over 900 lizards in a single colony. The DNA was then tested and found to have more than 80% of the reptiles to have developed tumors made of white skin cells before they were 5 years old. The SPINT1 gene was revealed to have been responsible for mutation which was also an important gene for the large tumor formation.