A-AW Locus (A-AW LOCUS)

Wolf sable/gray, Wolf sable, Wolf gray

The A Locus (Agouti series) interacts closely with the E, K, and B loci which can lead to a dog’s overall coat color and pattern. A-Locus mutations are only expressed if the dog is “Clear” or “Carrier” at the E locus and “Clear” at the K-KB locus. Four potential mutations at the A Locus can each have a different effect on coat color. The mutations are known as A-AY, A-AW, A-AT, and A-A and can determine whether a dog is a Carrier of sable/fawn, wolf sable/gray, black and tan/tricolor/tan points coloration or a recessive form of a solid black or bicolor coat color. The A-AW Locus mutation results in a dog that is wolf-sable/gray.

Reading Your Results

A. (CLEAR/NORMAL):

These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and the effect of A Locus on their coat color can be determined by testing the A-AY, A-AT, and A-A loci. They will also not pass this mutation to any of their offspring.

B. (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED):

These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this coat color. They will develop a wolf sable/gray coat due to this mutation in the absence of the AY mutation. They will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of their offspring, on average.

C. (AT RISK/AFFECTED):

These dogs have two copies of the mutation and will typically develop a wolf gray/sable coat due to the A-AW Locus mutation and will pass this mutation to 100% of their offspring. However, this dog’s coat color is also dependent on the E, K, and B Locus mutations.

Available For:

Additional Details

Inheritances

Complex order of dominance with other A Locus mutations (AY > AW > AT > A) and also depends on results for E, K, and B Locus mutations.

Affected gene

ASIP

Chromosome

Ch. 24

Mutation

Clear for SINE insertion of approximately 239 base pairs in intron 1a and c.244G>T and 248G>A

Publication:

Kerns JA, Newton J, Berryere TG, Rubin EM, Cheng JF, Schmutz SM, Barsh GS. Characterization of the dog Agouti gene and a nonagouti mutation in German Shepherd Dogs. Mamm Genome. 2004 Oct; 15(10):798-808. [PubMed: 15520882]

A-AW Locus (A-AW LOCUS)