Handstanding Rabbits From the RORB Gene

The mutation in a gene was found to have made rabbits jump instead of hop because of the gene that helps coordinate their limbs. In general, rabbits walk on their front paws which is controlled by the RORB gene. This gene is tied to limb movement and allows rabits to hop. However, when this gene is defective, the hops transform into handstands and does not allow for the bunnies to naturally hop. Comparatively, there was a study that was found that mice also performed handstands when the gene was altered. This was found in rabbits as well as mice. This mechanism is called the duck gait and allows for the development of the spinal cord and allows researchers to actually learn more about how the spinal cord works in other animals and humans. The RORB gene allows for the hormonal response in which elements of several genes were to be expressed and to code for organogenesis and differentation which helps regulate the circadian rhythm and hindlimb motor control. The gene is also a huge part in numberous physiololgical processes which uses different types of internal receptors to form various pathways and neurons. This rabbits with the defective gene can usually walk normally. However, with the RORB gene, the rabbits have the mutation to use their front paws to move quickly and swiftly to do instantaneous handstands. The gene which affects the spinal cord may affect the rabbit as a whole because of the syncopated movements of the four limbs which may lead to diseases upon further research. 

A gene defect may make rabbits do handstands instead of hop

 

Sauteur d'Alfort is a domesticated rabbit that is said to walk on its front paws having its hind legs up in a handstand position. Experts say that it may have a connection to that of a gene tied to limb movement. The mutation in the gene is known as RORB, and is said to not only occur in rabbit genes, but mice "handstand" when they begin to run. The article states that knowing more information about why the rabbit moves in such a way can help them better understand how the spinal cord works. Researchers have found that there is less RORB protein in the specialized nerve cells in rabbits that have the mutation as opposed to those that do not. 

I found this to be amazing! Genetics itself is an amazing part of science and seeing what certain things in the genetic makeup and things like mutations can cause in both humans and animals is awesome. I always thought it was cool and funny when I saw a dog walk on its hind-legs like a human, but a rabbit on its front paws in a handstand position? Now that is amazing.