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Origin of Merle Gene?
- Thread starter nimh
- Start date
It's related to the silver gene in horses. And it's not just in herding breeds. Daschunds have it (they called it dappled). Great Danes and Cockers also have the gene.
The gene responsible for the Silver dilution is in the PMEL17 gene on horse chromosome 6 (Brunberg et al, 2006, Reissmann et al, 2007).
A few mutations of the PMEL17 gene have been found, and some are entirely associated with silver. Most are situated within a non-coding regions (introns)and either have no affect on the structure of the PMEL17 protein, or are otherwise thought to be non-causative.
Both Brunberg et al (2006) and Reissmann et al (2007) seem to have independently found mutations in exon 11 and intron 9, completely associated with silver (an exon is a coding region of the gene). A silver dilution test assays for mutation sites in both places.
Pmel17 is a membrane protein in melanosomes that is active from quite early in embryonic development. It is active in mature melanosomes also, and is involved with the production of the black pigment eumelanin. Pmel17 mutations are known to be related to pigmentation in other animals, including premature silvering in mice, diluted and white plumage in chickens, and the merle dilution in dogs. The merle coat in dogs is associated with deafness and eye disorders. Pmel17 mutations in zebrafish are also associated with vision defects.
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http://greenrage.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/pigment-cells-and-the-silver-locus-dog-and-pony-show/
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Basically, every color but the natural base color (I believe it's sable or black) is a mutation that originated from 1 animal.
The gene responsible for the Silver dilution is in the PMEL17 gene on horse chromosome 6 (Brunberg et al, 2006, Reissmann et al, 2007).
A few mutations of the PMEL17 gene have been found, and some are entirely associated with silver. Most are situated within a non-coding regions (introns)and either have no affect on the structure of the PMEL17 protein, or are otherwise thought to be non-causative.
Both Brunberg et al (2006) and Reissmann et al (2007) seem to have independently found mutations in exon 11 and intron 9, completely associated with silver (an exon is a coding region of the gene). A silver dilution test assays for mutation sites in both places.
Pmel17 is a membrane protein in melanosomes that is active from quite early in embryonic development. It is active in mature melanosomes also, and is involved with the production of the black pigment eumelanin. Pmel17 mutations are known to be related to pigmentation in other animals, including premature silvering in mice, diluted and white plumage in chickens, and the merle dilution in dogs. The merle coat in dogs is associated with deafness and eye disorders. Pmel17 mutations in zebrafish are also associated with vision defects.
------------------------------
http://greenrage.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/pigment-cells-and-the-silver-locus-dog-and-pony-show/
---------------
Basically, every color but the natural base color (I believe it's sable or black) is a mutation that originated from 1 animal.
ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
Hello all,
I am doing some research on the Merle Gene and was wondering if anyone can direct me to a place that tells of the origin of the Merle Gene?
Is it a gene, traditionally, only displayed in Herding breeds?
Thank you,
Ashley
In dogs, it is located on the SILV gene.
Here is the first merle Sheltie in the AKC stud books, sired by a suspected Collie.
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Imports/Thistle.html
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Colliecross.html#MBP (more info on her merle father)
I personally have doubts about the lineage of any breed outside the herding group with the merle gene. Especially breeds where it is a more recent introduction.
In dogs, it is located on the SILV gene.
Here is the first merle Sheltie in the AKC stud books, sired by a suspected Collie.
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Imports/Thistle.html
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Colliecross.html#MBP (more info on her merle father)
I personally have doubts about the lineage of any breed outside the herding group with the merle gene. Especially breeds where it is a more recent introduction.
Actually, if you read the link that I posted to, the PMEL17 and SILV are the same gene.
And I seriously doubt your last paragraph. It's been in the Chihuahua for over 50 years. Not very recent, IMO.
http://www.lethalwhites.com/links.html
More breeds that come in merle:
bulldog
pitt bull terriers
Staffy's
Norweigan Dunker Hound
Deerhound
More info about PMEL17: http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/merle.html
A good study on it: http://www.pnas.org/content/103/5/1376.abstract
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In dogs, it is located on the SILV gene.
Here is the first merle Sheltie in the AKC stud books, sired by a suspected Collie.
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Imports/Thistle.html
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Colliecross.html#MBP (more info on her merle father)
I personally have doubts about the lineage of any breed outside the herding group with the merle gene. Especially breeds where it is a more recent introduction.
From what I've red almost all Merleing in the US can be traced back to the Sheltieland dogs which of those a high percentage are traced into collies. It might be worth looking into where it came from in collies to find the original form of the gene. I believe Apple Acres has a high % of Sheltieland in them right now as well. It might also be worth checking with that breeder, she might have some information for you.