These Rare Fork-Nosed Dogs Could Help Solve a Genetic Mystery in Humans

A rare breed of hunting dogs known for its forked nose, the Turkish Pointer, might just help scientists better understand why human babies are sometimes born with facial clefts. In a recent study, researchers say they’ve found the genetic mutation that causes these dogs to develop their characteristic split nose. They argue that similar mutations might also explain some cases of cleft lip and palate in humans. An international research team conducted the study, including scientists from the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. They analyzed the genetics of some 2,000 dogs, eventually discovering several new gene variants linked to a dog’s facial structure and size. One of these variants was found in the Turkish Pointer, also known as the Catalburun. The mutation concerns the gene PDFGRA. The researchers say that the gene seems to help connect the two halves of the face and mouth during embryonic development, with t ... Read full article.