Coat Colour C-Locus (Albinism c)

Coat colour in cats is controlled by a wide range of different genes working together. These genes are often referred to as “loci”. The C-Locus, a.k.a. Colour Locus, corresponds to the gene for tyrosinase (TYR). Recessive mutations to TYR can cause various degrees of Type 1 Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA1), a failure to produce pigment, which leads to a silvery-white coat and light-coloured eyes. This can range between the distinctive point colouration of the Siamese cat, to full albinism.

The mutation analysed in this test, designated as “c”, is one of two that results in a fully albino coat. Together with the “c2” mutation, it is recessive to all other C-Locus alleles.