Genetic variants in melanogenesis proteins TYRP1 and TYR are associated with the golden rhesus macaque phenotype

Samuel M. Peterson, Marina M. Watowich, Lauren M. Renner, Samantha Martin, Emma Offenberg, Amanda Lea, Michael J. Montague, James P. Higham, Noah Snyder-Mackler, Martha Neuringer, Betsy Ferguson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are vital translational research models due to their high genetic, physiological, and anatomical homology with humans. The "golden"rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) phenotype is a naturally occurring, inherited trait with a visually distinct pigmentation pattern resulting in light blonde colored fur. Retinal imaging also reveals consistent hypopigmentation and occasional foveal hypoplasia. Here, we describe the use of genome-wide association in 2 distinct NHP populations to identify candidate variants in genes linked to the golden phenotype. Two missense variants were identified in the Tyrosinase-related protein 1 gene (Asp343Gly and Leu415Pro) that segregate with the phenotype. An additional and distinct association was also found with a Tyrosinase variant (His256Gln), indicating the light-colored fur phenotype can result from multiple genetic mechanisms. The implicated genes are related through their contribution to the melanogenesis pathway. Variants in these 2 genes are known to cause pigmentation phenotypes in other species and to be associated with oculocutaneous albinism in humans. The novel associations presented in this study will permit further investigations into the role these proteins and variants play in the melanogenesis pathway and model the effects of genetic hypopigmentation and altered melanogenesis in a naturally occurring nonhuman primate model.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Article numberjkad168
    JournalG3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics
    Volume13
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Oct 2023

    Keywords

    • TYR
    • TYRP1
    • genetic
    • nonhuman primate
    • rare disease

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics
    • Genetics(clinical)

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