Dog DNA study reveals new role for protein

[Egaladeist]

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

[cgkanchi]

Haha, this is too weird. I just went to a lecture that talked about defensins in humans and dogs This research was mentioned as well.

Che

[J_K9]

The guy took 15 years to discover that? Christ, what a waste of a life!


J/k - sounds very interesting. Thanks Eg.