Colorizing the Dog

Scientists Spot Dog Fur Color Gene

THURSDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Dogged research has identified a gene that determines canine coat color, and the discovery could have implications for human health, too

A team from Stanford University School of Medicine says the finding may help lead to a better understanding of why humans come in different weights and have varying abilities to cope with stress.


They analyzed DNA samples from hundreds of dogs and pinpointed a gene that makes the beta defensin protein. One version of the gene produces yellow dogs, while a mutant version produces black dogs, the researchers found.

The gene belongs to the large family of defensin genes, which may play a role in fighting infections, although that's not certain.

What is clear is that this newly-identified beta-defensin gene engages a pathway that determines skin and hair color as well as stress adaptation and weight regulation, the Stanford researchers said. The identification of a new gene in this pathway creates new possibilities for drug research.