Ulana Prociuk

ANCHORING OF CANINE LINKAGE GROUPS WITH CHROMOSOME-SPECIFIC MARKERS

Abstract. A high-resolution genetic map with polymorphic markers spaced frequently throughout the genome is a key resource for identifying genes that control specific traits or diseases. The lack of rigorous selection against genetic disorders has resulted in many breeds of dog suffering from a very high frequency of genetic diseases, which tend to be breed-specific and usually inherited as autosomal recessive or apparently complex genetic traits. Many of these closely resemble human genetic disorders in their clinical and pathologic features and are likely to be caused by mutations in homologous genes. To identify loci important in canine disease genes, as well as traits associated with morphological and behavioral variation, we are developing a genetic map of the canine genome. Here we report on an updated version of the canine linkage map, which includes 341 mapped markers distributed over the X and 37 autosomal linkage groups. The average distance between markers on the map is 9.0 cM, and the linkage groups provide estimated coverage of over 95% of the genome. Fourteen linkage groups contain either gene-associated or anonymous markers localized to cosmids that have been assigned to specific canine chromosomes by FISH. These 14 linkage groups contain 150 microsatellite markers and allow us to assign 40% of the linkage groups to specific canine chromosomes. This new version of the map is of sufficient density and characterization to initiate mapping of traits of interest.

Canine mitochondrial myopathy associated with reduced mitochondrial mRNA and altered cytochrome c oxidase activities in fibroblasts and skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle and fibroblast biopsies obtained from a normal dog and an old English sheep dog with exertional myopathy and lactic acidosis were examined for mitochondrial enzyme activities and mitochondrially coded mRNAs. The fibroblast cultures of the affected dog showed reduced cytochrome c oxidase (COX) I+II mRNA content (25% of control) and COX enzyme activities (23% of control). The skeletal muscle of the affected dog was similarly affected and showed not only decreased COX I+II mRNA content, but also decreased ATPase6 mRNA level. Apart from COX enzyme activity (62% of control), the oligomycin sensitive ATPase and NADH-Ferricyanide reductase activities were also reduced in the skeletal muscle of the affected dog (12-20% of control). These results suggest that a mitochondrial dysfunction may be the causative factor of the exertional metabolic myopathy with lactic acidosis in this affected old English sheep dog. These animals may serve as an excellent model for mitochondrial myopathies.

A novel locus for dilated cardiomyopathy maps to canine chromosome 8.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the most common form of cardiomyopathy, often leads to heart failure and sudden death. While a substantial proportion of DCMs are inherited, mutations responsible for the majority of DCMs remain unidentified. A genome-wide linkage study was performed to identify the locus responsible for an autosomal recessive inherited form of juvenile DCM (JDCM) in Portuguese water dogs using 16 families segregating the disease. Results link the JDCM locus to canine chromosome 8 with two-point and multipoint lod scores of 10.8 and 14, respectively. The locus maps to a 3.9-Mb region, with complete syntenic homology to human chromosome 14, that contains no genes or loci known to be involved in the development of any type of cardiomyopathy. This discovery of a DCM locus with a previously unknown etiology will provide a new gene to examine in human DCM patients and a model for testing therapeutic approaches for heart failure.

Trisomy-X with estrous cycle anomalies in two female dogs.

Two female dogs were presented with a history of abnormal estrous cycles and infertility, despite multiple breedings. Medical therapy to correct the cycle anomalies did not result in pregnancy. Cytogenetic analysis of blood lymphocyte cultures in each dog revealed three copies of the X chromosome in each cell, constituting a 79,XXX karyotype (trisomy-X). Both dogs were eventually ovariohysterectomised and histological evaluation revealed hypoplastic ovaries and an absence of normal follicular structures. However, partial or immature follicles were noted, which may have been sufficient to cause both females to initiate cycling. The history and clinical characteristics found in these dogs were compared to those described in three other dogs reported with trisomy-X, as well as those reported in other species. These findings highlighted the importance of cytogenetic studies in fertility evaluation and achieving a definitive diagnosis for infertility in the bitch.