Researchers in Portugal have been searching for a gene that is responsible for a specifically discovered locomotive defect rabbit breeding. The fault causes the rabbits to “handstand” rather than hop when moving fast. And while the hand is both heartbreaking and awww-inducing, the results of the research may ultimately provide a way to prevent the deficiency. As well as giving an insight into how spinal cords work in general.
Science News reported the discovery, which the researchers recently explained in a study published in the journal Genetics PLOS. To find the gene that was responsible for the defect, the team bred the so-called rabbit breed. sauteur d’Alfort rabbits – with a species that does not tolerate it.
By combing both sexes, the researchers were able to extract some offspring that were able to hop normally and only others that were capable of the hands. The researchers then sequenced the whole genomes of the different types of rabbits, looking for genetic differences between the two.
When the researchers looked at the genomes, they found that the rabbits that mimic the “orphan receptor B” gene have a specific mutation associated with RAR. Or the RORB gene. The RORB gene, which encodes for RORB proteins, is normally found throughout the hopping animal’s nervous system. But for the rabbits that could only stand by hand, there was a significant decrease in neurons that secrete the proteins.
Genetics M. Carneiro et al / PLOS 2021
The researchers conclude in their paper that RORB action is required for saltatorial performance – ie “jump” – movement in rabbits. A conclusion that will help strengthen the notion that the RORB gene is essential for spinal function in other animals. And, perhaps, look at RORB gene mutation in humans, which can lead to epilepsy.
Feature image: M. Carneiro et al / PLOS Genetics 2021