Dog DNA study reveals new role for protein
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:39 pm
Dog DNA study reveals new role for protein
It turns out the gene that controls coat color in dogs also controls a family of proteins called defensins that are thought to defend the body from invading microbes.
"It connects a whole family of genes, the defensin family, to what was previously thought to be a different pathway, the melanocortin pathway," Barsh said in a telephone interview.
Barsh's laboratory has spent the past 15 years studying the melanocortin pathway -- the hormones and proteins that control the amounts of melanin and cortisol produced in the body.
This pathway plays an important role in weight control and skin pigmentation, which is what drew Barsh to study of coat color in dogs.
But the link between two distinct pathways raises many questions about the role of defensin proteins.
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceN ... 4420071018
Dog DNA study reveals new role for protein | Science | Reuters
It turns out the gene that controls coat color in dogs also controls a family of proteins called defensins that are thought to defend the body from invading microbes.
"It connects a whole family of genes, the defensin family, to what was previously thought to be a different pathway, the melanocortin pathway," Barsh said in a telephone interview.
Barsh's laboratory has spent the past 15 years studying the melanocortin pathway -- the hormones and proteins that control the amounts of melanin and cortisol produced in the body.
This pathway plays an important role in weight control and skin pigmentation, which is what drew Barsh to study of coat color in dogs.
But the link between two distinct pathways raises many questions about the role of defensin proteins.
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceN ... 4420071018
Dog DNA study reveals new role for protein | Science | Reuters
This research was mentioned as well.