The satin coat

The sheen of the satin coat is a result of an abnormal hair shaft resulting from defects in differentiation.

Although the gene in the satin rabbit has not been cloned, the gene responsible for the equivalent phenotype in the mouse has been identified. In the mouse the gene responsible is a transcription factor known as Foxq1. This transcription factor is a member of the Winged Helix Forkhead transcription factors. Its lack of function means that genes involved in hair growth and differentiation are not expressed, resulting in the deformed hair shaft which reflects light giving a shiny appearance.

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References

Hong H., Noveroske J., Headon D., Liu T., Sy M., Justice M. and Chakravarti A (2001) The Winged Helix/Forkhead Transcription Factor Foxq1 Regulates Differentiation of Hair in Satin Mice Genesis 29:163-171