Long hair (FGF5 gene, Ragdoll)

The distinctive long coat that covers the body, limbs and tail of cats such as Ragdoll cats has been associated with a single gene known as FGF5.

Definition

This trait refers to the genetic variant responsible for long hair on the body, legs and tail of cats. This variant is found in the FGF5 gene, which is involved in the regulation of hair growth in the hair follicle.

Genetic basis

A mutation has been described in the FGF5 gene that causes the long coat typical of Ragdoll cats: c.356_357insT (also known as the M1 allele). The variant is recessive, therefore, long hair will be expressed in those cats that have two copies of the variant. Different variants have been identified in the FGF5 gene which, when combined with this variant in compound heterozygosis (one copy of each variant), could also generate a longer coat phenotype.

Other relevant information

item.traits.71.distinctivefeatures

Bibliography

Kehler JS, David VA, Schäffer AA, et al. Four independent mutations in the feline fibroblast growth factor 5 gene determine the long-haired phenotype in domestic cats. J Hered. 2007;98(6):555-566.