Coat Colour C-Locus Albinism (c, c2)

Coat colour in cats is controlled by a wide range of different genes working together. One of these genes involved is the Tyrosinase (TYR) gene. This gene produces an enzyme that is required for melanin production, which gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour. Mutations in this gene cause various degrees of Type 1 Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA1), a failure to produce pigment. This can range between the distinctive point colouration of the Burmese and Siamese cat, to full albinism.
Two known autosomal recessive mutations in TYR have been associated with a fully albino coat. They are designated as “c” and “c2” mutation and are recessive to all other C-Locus alleles. Information on the individual tests is available through the links at the DNA tests.