Gene required for jumping is identified in rabbits
A new study co-led by Miguel Carneiro, which demonstrates that a functional RORB gene is necessary for rabbits to perform their characteristic jumping gait, has featured widely in the websites of prestigious scientific journals and international media.
In an article published by the prestigious journal PLOS Genetics, an international team that includes CIBIO-InBIO researchers Miguel Carneiro, Pedro Andrade, Sandra Afonso, Jose Antonio Blanco-Aguiar, Nuno Santos, Pedro Esteves and Nuno Ferrand, shows that rabbits require a functional RORB gene to move around by jumping.
The team investigated jumping-related genes using an unusual breed of domesticated rabbit called the sauteur d’Alfort. It has been found that the strange gait of these rabbits is due to a specific mutation in the RAR related orphan receptor B (RORB) gene.
The new study demonstrates that a functional RORB gene is necessary for rabbits and probably other hopping animals to perform their characteristic jumping gait.
To see some examples of the news please click on the links below:
"Rabbits that do ‘handstands’ help to find a gene for hopping" | Nature | March 25, 2021
"This rabbit walks on its ‘hands.’ Scientists think they’ve found the genetic reason why" | Science | March 25, 2021
"A gene defect may make rabbits do handstands instead of hop" | ScienceNews | March 25, 2021
"Some rabbits walk on their front feet with their back legs in the air" | NewScientist | March 25, 2021
"Researchers find the secret of the bunny hop: it's all in the genes" | The Guardian | March 25, 2021
To access the original article, please click here.