A new scientific discovery has unraveled a long-standing mystery behind the distinctive orange coloring of ginger cats — a trait made famous by feline characters like Garfield, Puss in Boots, and Toulouse from The Aristocats, BBC reports.
Researchers from Kyushu University in Japan and Stanford University in the United States have identified a missing piece of genetic code as the reason behind the lighter fur pigment seen in ginger cats. Their findings were published in simultaneous studies this week and mark a significant advancement in feline genetics.
The research centers on a gene known as ARHGAP36, which plays a role in determining pigmentation through specialized cells called melanocytes — responsible for coloring a cat’s fur, skin, and eyes.
Scientists compared the DNA of cats with and without orange fur and found that ginger cats were missing a section of this gene. The absence of this segment appears to cause the gene to be more active than usual, instructing melanocytes to produce lighter pigment, which results in the cat’s orange or ginger appearance.
The gene in question resides on the X chromosome, which helps explain a well-known pattern in cat genetics: most fully ginger cats are male.
Male cats have one X and one Y chromosome. If their single X chromosome carries the altered ARHGAP36 gene, it’s sufficient to result in the ginger coloration. Female cats, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes — and both would need to contain the mutation for the same level of pigmentation to occur. Otherwise, the result is often a blend of color patches, such as in calico or tortoiseshell cats.
“This random inactivation of one X chromosome in each cell during early development explains why some cats have mixed color patterns,” said Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki, a geneticist at Kyushu University.
What began as a personal interest project for Prof. Sasaki after his retirement turned into a widely supported research effort. He raised over 10 million yen (about £55,000) through crowdfunding, with contributions coming from thousands of cat enthusiasts — including schoolchildren — from around the world.
Sasaki’s work involved analyzing DNA from local cats in Japan and comparing it with data from international genomic databases.
The newly identified gene, ARHGAP36, has functions beyond fur color. It is active in several areas of the body, including the brain and endocrine system. As a result, researchers believe the mutation may have implications for other aspects of cat biology, including potential links to health conditions.
Although the study primarily focused on fur color, it opens the door to future research into whether certain traits — including health risks or behavioral tendencies — are more common in orange-colored cats.
“There’s no scientific proof yet that coat color determines personality,” Sasaki noted. “But it’s something we’d love to explore further.”
Interestingly, the ARHGAP36 gene is also found in humans and has been linked to skin cancer and hair loss. While the feline-focused research is still in its early stages, scientists believe further exploration of the gene could contribute to broader understanding in developmental biology and genetics.
