The extreme golden coat in Siberian cats consists of a warm coloration with broad banded tabby markings caused by a mutation in the CORIN gene.
Definition
Cats with an extreme golden coat have a warm coloration with strongly illuminated broad tabby markings, a light cream belly and a pink nose with no dark line. This color pattern is determined by the CORIN gene, which regulates the production of pigments responsible for the golden hue and acts as a suppressor of the ASIP pathway. A variant in the CORIN gene causes an increase in pheomelanin production by reducing suppression of the ASIP pathway.
Genetic basis
The "extreme sunshine" golden coat in cats is the result of a specific mutation in the CORIN gene: c.839G>A. This trait is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, which means that it requires the presence of two copies of the genetic variant for expression of the phenotype. Cats that have only one copy of this variant will not show the trait, but can transmit the allele to their offspring with a 50% probability.
Other relevant information
This genetic variant could have been naturally selected in certain environments where golden fur offers advantages, such as better camouflage in sunny or golden habitats, helping cats to avoid predators and improve their hunting ability.
