Research article

The color of a Dalmatian's spots: Linkage evidence to support the TYRP1 gene

Edward J Cargill¹ , Thomas R Famula² , Robert D Schnabel³ , George M Strain⁴ and Keith E Murphy¹

¹Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 USA

²Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA

³Department of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 USA

⁴Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA

author email corresponding author email

BMC Veterinary Research 2005, 1:1doi:10.1186/1746-6148-1-1

Published:	26 July 2005

Abstract

Background

The distinctive coat pattern of a Dalmatian is the result of the interaction of several loci. While the encoded function of these genes is not fully understood, it is known the Piebald, Ticking, and Flecking loci interact to produce the Dalmatian's classic pigmented spots on a white background. The color of the pigmented spots in purebred Dalmatians can either be black or liver, but the locus responsible for color determination is unknown. Studies have been conducted to determine the underlying genes involved in coat color determination in the dog, e.g., in the Labrador Retriever, but none to date have addressed black versus liver in the Dalmatian.

Results

A genome scan was conducted in a multi-generational kindred of Dalmatians segregating black and liver spot color. Linkage analysis was performed using a total of 113 polymorphic microsatellite markers from the kindred. Linkage was found between spot color and a single microsatellite marker, FH2319 (LOD = 12.5) on chromosome 11.

Conclusion

The TYRP1 (Brown) locus is located at position 50.1 Mb on chromosome 11, which is approximately 0.4 Mb from marker FH2319. Given the recent characterization of TYRP1 genetic variations in the dog and the linkage evidence reported here, TYRP1 is likely responsible for the spot color variation of black versus liver seen in the Dalmatian.