RNA sequencing of domestic cat whole skin biopsies

The Bengal cat breed was developed from intercrosses between the Asian leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis, and the domestic cat, Felis catus, and is characterized by pelage features that are not observed in other pedigreed cats. These include ornate color patterns similar to those of ocelots and jaguars, as well as coat color and coat texture traits, referred to as charcoal and glitter, respectively. We generated and analyzed RNAseq from whole skin of cats carrying these alleles to explore allele specific expression of associated genes.