Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 19-26 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 20 cat immune system, analyze genes related to hair and skin development, as well as protective genes related to skin health, and analyze the function of key genes at the molecular level to establish an interaction network of key genes in the cat genome. These research goals provide more comprehensive and in-depth genomic support for cat biology, behavior, and the symbiotic relationship between cats and humans, and have important guiding significance for future cat genetic improvement, disease prevention and control, and understanding of interactions with humans. 1 Overall Characteristics of the Cat Genome 1.1 Genome size and structure Cat genome are key aspects that provide insight into the nature of its biology. The latest research shows that the size of the cat genome is about 280 million base pairs, which is relatively compact compared to other cats. This sparked a great deal of interest among scientists in the unique adaptations that characterized the evolution of the cat genome. Comparing the genome size differences between cats and other felines (Figure 1) can help reveal the selective pressure and adaptive changes in cats during their evolution. Figure 1 Homologous synteny blocks (HSBs) relative to cat chromosomes B4 and X defined by conserved sequence blocks across six index mammalian species’ genome sequences (O’Brien et al., 2008) In addition to genome size, the structure of the cat genome is also an aspect of great concern. When researchers paid attention to the chromosomal organization of cats, they found that the structure of cat chromosomes may play an important role in their unique physiological and behavioral performance. In addition, the distribution and amount of ribosomal RNA also play an important role in the analysis of the cat genome structure, providing clues to understand the unique architecture of cats at the cellular level. 1.2 Genomic variation and its distribution in cats Genomic variation is a driving force of natural selection and evolution and is critical to the understanding of cat fitness and diversity. In the cat genome, analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and structural variations revealed genetic differences between different cat breeds (Zhao et al., 2022). In-depth study of these patterns of variation helps explain the diversity of cat breeds and also provides clues to the physiological and behavioral differences between individuals. By analyzing the distribution of variants, the researchers were able to identify specific loci associated with cat- specific physiological and behavioral differences, providing a basis for further functional studies. 1.3 Evolution and expansion of gene families The rich and diverse gene families in the cat genome are key to its adaptation to different environments and lifestyles. Studying the evolutionary path of cat gene families, especially the immune gene family and the sensory gene family, can help reveal how cats respond to external challenges during their evolution. The evolutionary patterns of these gene families provide humans with important clues about cats' evolutionary strategies to fight disease and adapt to the environment. A deeper understanding of the function and evolution of these gene families will provide insights into disease resistance and survival strategies in cats.
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