Copper Gene Mutation Identified
At Belle Ayr Cats we have been able to trace how the CORIN Copper gene is genetically carried and can act as a recessive gene. The attached document shows how the CORIN Copper gene is carried, using some of our cats and kittens as examples.
The gene mutation that causes the distinctive copper colouring in British cats has been discovered by Professor Marie Abitbo of the Université de Lyon.
Belle Ayr Cats contributed samples to the research project and is continuing to work with Professor Abitbo on research into the rare lightened sunshine variation present in our lines.
We are delighted to announce the discovery by Professor Marie Abitbol, from the Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy-l’Etoile, France, of the "copper" gene mutation that creates the copper, and its association with creating a lightning phenotype sometimes referred to as "sunshine", in British cats.
Belle Ayr Cats GB/UK contributed samples to the research and has received confirmation that we have bred cats that are homozygous (have inherited the DNA sequence from both parents) for the mutation.
Prof. Abitbol has informed us that some of our cats have a lighter variation of the "copper" coloring. She has asked us to contribute more samples to enable her team to try and identify the mutation that lightens the copper colour.
We have a few litters now with this mutation across three generations. These litters display both the copper and the lightened sunshine gene.
Update
All our ny12 cats are homozygous mutant for copper: they are all copper cats.
This is a different gene to the our other British Golden & Silver cats. These cats were used as controls in the research and showed to be heterozygous C/T cats and not copper. These cats are golden ticked tabby, golden shaded or with traditional colours (brown and silver tabby, silver shaded or solid).
Our ny12 cats tested and confirmed as copper cats are:
Eclaire
Peaches
Bellisima
Athena
Zarina
Aion
Appolo
Our Carriers of the Copper gene, are:
Union
Serenity
Floriana
Nala
Nakita
Nova
Norha
Prof. Abitbol has kindly allowed us to share her research.