1
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Yuan Z, Zhang X, Pang Y, Qi Y. Association analysis of PMEL gene expression and single nucleotide polymorphism with plumage color in quail. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:5001-5010. [PMID: 37300547 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2023.2221697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To explore the relationship between PMEL gene and quail plumage color, to provide a reference for subsequent quail plumage color breeding. In this experiment, RT-qPCR technology was used to analyze the relative mRNA expression levels of Korean quail (maroon) and Beijing white quail embryos at different developmental stages. Two SNPs in PMEL gene were screened based on the RNA-Seq data of skin tissues of Korean quail and Beijing white quail during embryonic stage. The KASP technology was used for genotyping in the resource population and correlation analysis was carried out with the plumage color traits of quail. Finally, the bioinformatics technology was used to predict the effects of these two SNPs on the structure and function of the encoded protein. The results showed that the expression levels of PMEL gene during the embryonic development of Beijing white quail were extremely significantly higher than that of Korean quail (p < 0.01). The frequency distribution of the three genotypes (AA, AB, and BB) of the Beijing white quail at the c. 1030C > T and c. 1374A > G mutation sites were extremely significantly different from that of the Korean quail (p < 0.01). And there was a significant correlation between the c. 1374A > G mutation site with white plumage phenotype. Bioinformatics analysis showed that SNP1 (c. c1030t) located in exon 6 was a harmful mutation site, and SNP2 (c. a1374g) located in exon 7 was a neutral mutation site. Protein conservation prediction showed that the coding protein P344S site caused by SNP1 (c. c1030t) site and the coding protein I458M site caused by SNP2 (c. g2129a) site were non-conservative sites. The results of this experiment showed that the PMEL gene was associated with the plumage color traits of quail and could be used as a candidate gene for studying the plumage color of quail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Yuan
- College of Animal Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic and Breeding, Luoyang, China
| | - Youzhi Pang
- College of Animal Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic and Breeding, Luoyang, China
| | - Yanxia Qi
- College of Animal Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic and Breeding, Luoyang, China
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2
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Broeckx BJG. Incorporating Genetic Testing into a Breeding Program. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2023:S0195-5616(23)00064-5. [PMID: 37221103 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Genetic tests are powerful tools that enable (1) a focus on genetic diversity as mating outcomes can be predicted and thus optimized to minimize or even avoid exclusion and (2) working toward breeding goals by improving a phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart J G Broeckx
- Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium.
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3
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Chi C, He J, Du Z, Zheng Y, D’Alessandro E, Chen C, Moawad AS, Asare E, Song C, Wang X. Two Retrotransposon Elements in Intron of Porcine BMPR1B Is Associated with Phenotypic Variation. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12101650. [PMID: 36295085 PMCID: PMC9604734 DOI: 10.3390/life12101650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been established that through binding to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), bone morphogenetic protein receptor I B (BMPR1B) can mediate transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signal transduction, and is involved in the regulation of several biological processes, such as bone and muscle formation and homeostasis, as well as folliculogenesis. Also known as FecB, BMPR1B has been reported as the major gene for sheep prolificacy. A number of previous studies have analyzed the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene and its related performance. In recent years, with the illustration of the effect of retrotransposon insertion on the expression of the proximal genes or phenotypic variation, retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms (RIPs) have been used as a novel type of molecular marker in the evaluation of evolution, population structure and breeding of plant and domestic animals. In this study, the RIPs in porcine BMPR1B gene were excavated, and thereafter verified using a comparative genome and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The potential effects of phenotype, gene expression and functions related to RIPs were also explored. The results showed that 13 distinct RIPs were identified in introns of porcine BMPR1B. Among these, only BMPR1B-SINE-RIP9 and BMPR1B-LINE-RIP13 displayed a close relationship with the growth traits of Large White pigs. Moreover, the total number of BMPR1B-SINE+/+-RIP9 individuals born was found to be significantly higher than that of SINE−/− (p < 0.05). These two RIPs showed an obvious distribution pattern among Chinese indigenous breeds and Western commercial breeds. The expression of BMPR1B in ovaries of adult BMPR1B-SINE+/+-RIP9 Sushan pigs was found to be significantly higher in comparison to those of BMPR1B-SINE−/−-RIP9 (p < 0.05). SINE insertion of BMPR1B-SINE-RIP9 and LINE insertion of BMPR1B-LINE-RIP13 were observed to significantly increase the activity of Octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) minipromoter in CHO and C2C12 cells (p < 0.01). Therefore, these two RIPs could serve as useful molecular markers for modulating the growth or reproductive traits in assisted selection of pig breeding, while the mechanisms of the insertion function should be studied further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Chi
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jia He
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhanyu Du
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yao Zheng
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Enrico D’Alessandro
- Department of Veterinary Science, Division of Animal Production, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Cai Chen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ali Shoaib Moawad
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Emmanuel Asare
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chengyi Song
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-013511768881
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4
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Morrill K, Hekman J, Li X, McClure J, Logan B, Goodman L, Gao M, Dong Y, Alonso M, Carmichael E, Snyder-Mackler N, Alonso J, Noh HJ, Johnson J, Koltookian M, Lieu C, Megquier K, Swofford R, Turner-Maier J, White ME, Weng Z, Colubri A, Genereux DP, Lord KA, Karlsson EK. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 2022; 376:eabk0639. [PMID: 35482869 DOI: 10.1126/science.abk0639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral genetics in dogs has focused on modern breeds, which are isolated subgroups with distinctive physical and, purportedly, behavioral characteristics. We interrogated breed stereotypes by surveying owners of 18,385 purebred and mixed-breed dogs and genotyping 2155 dogs. Most behavioral traits are heritable [heritability (h2) > 25%], and admixture patterns in mixed-breed dogs reveal breed propensities. Breed explains just 9% of behavioral variation in individuals. Genome-wide association analyses identify 11 loci that are significantly associated with behavior, and characteristic breed behaviors exhibit genetic complexity. Behavioral loci are not unusually differentiated in breeds, but breed propensities align, albeit weakly, with ancestral function. We propose that behaviors perceived as characteristic of modern breeds derive from thousands of years of polygenic adaptation that predates breed formation, with modern breeds distinguished primarily by aesthetic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Morrill
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jessica Hekman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xue Li
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jesse McClure
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Brittney Logan
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Linda Goodman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Fauna Bio Inc., Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Mingshi Gao
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Yinan Dong
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Marjie Alonso
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, USA.,IAABC Foundation, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, USA
| | - Elena Carmichael
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Noah Snyder-Mackler
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA.,School for Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA
| | - Jacob Alonso
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hyun Ji Noh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jeremy Johnson
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Charlie Lieu
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Darwin's Ark Foundation, Seattle, WA 98026, USA
| | - Kate Megquier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ross Swofford
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Michelle E White
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Andrés Colubri
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Kathryn A Lord
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Darwin's Ark Foundation, Seattle, WA 98026, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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5
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Brancalion L, Haase B, Wade CM. Canine coat pigmentation genetics: a review. Anim Genet 2021; 53:3-34. [PMID: 34751460 DOI: 10.1111/age.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of canine coat colour genetics and the associated health implications is developing rapidly. To date, there are 15 genes with known roles in canine coat colour phenotypes. Many coat phenotypes result from complex and/or epistatic genetic interactions among variants within and between loci, some of which remain unidentified. Some genes involved in canine pigmentation have been linked to aural, visual and neurological impairments. Consequently, coat pigmentation in the domestic dog retains considerable ethical and economic interest. In this paper we discuss coat colour phenotypes in the domestic dog, the genes and variants responsible for these phenotypes and any proven coat colour-associated health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brancalion
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - B Haase
- Faculty of Science, School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - C M Wade
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
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6
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Shaffer LG. Special issue on companion animal genetics: Novel variants discovered in wide variety of diseases in dogs, identification and further characterization of traits in dogs and cats, and the use of microarrays in the detection of aneuploidy in dogs. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1501-1503. [PMID: 34599369 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02375-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa G Shaffer
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA. .,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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7
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Ballif BC, Emerson LJ, Ramirez CJ, Carl CR, Sundin K, Flores-Smith H, Shaffer LG. The PMEL gene and merle (dapple) in the dachshund: cryptic, hidden, and mosaic variants demonstrate the need for genetic testing prior to breeding. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1581-1591. [PMID: 34370083 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02330-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
One of the most unique coat color patterns in the domestic dog is merle (also known as dapple in the dachshund breed), characterized by patches of normal pigmentation surrounded by diluted eumelanin pigment. In dogs, this striking variegated pattern is caused by an insertion of a SINE element into the PMEL gene. Differences in the length of the SINE insertion [due to a variable-length poly(A)-tail] has been associated with variation in the merle coat color and patterning. We previously performed a systematic evaluation of merle in 175 Australian shepherds and related breeds and correlated the length of the merle insertion variants with four broad phenotypic clusters designated as "cryptic", "atypical", "classic", and "harlequin" merle. In this study, we evaluated the SINE insertions in 140 dachshunds and identified the same major merle phenotypic clusters with only slight variation between breeds. Specifically, we identified numerous cases of true "hidden" merle in dachshunds with light/red (pheomelanin) coats with little to no black/brown pigment (eumelanin) and thus minimal or no observable merle phenotype. In addition, we identified somatic and gonadal mosaicism, with one dog having a large insertion in the harlequin size range of M281 that had no merle phenotype and unintentionally produced a double merle puppy with anophthalmia. The frequent identification of cryptic, hidden, and mosaic merle variants, which can be undetectable by phenotypic inspection, should be of particular concern to breeders and illustrates the critical need for genetic testing for merle prior to breeding to avoid producing dogs with serious health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake C Ballif
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, Suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA.
| | | | - Christina J Ramirez
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, Suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA
| | - Casey R Carl
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, Suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA
| | - Kyle Sundin
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, Suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA
| | - Helen Flores-Smith
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, Suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA
| | - Lisa G Shaffer
- Paw Print Genetics, Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., 220 E Rowan, Suite 220, Spokane, WA, 99207, USA
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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8
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Functional Domains and Evolutionary History of the PMEL and GPNMB Family Proteins. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123529. [PMID: 34207849 PMCID: PMC8273697 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The ancient paralogs premelanosome protein (PMEL) and glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) have independently emerged as intriguing disease loci in recent years. Both proteins possess common functional domains and variants that cause a shared spectrum of overlapping phenotypes and disease associations: melanin-based pigmentation, cancer, neurodegenerative disease and glaucoma. Surprisingly, these proteins have yet to be shown to physically or genetically interact within the same cellular pathway. This juxtaposition inspired us to compare and contrast this family across a breadth of species to better understand the divergent evolutionary trajectories of two related, but distinct, genes. In this study, we investigated the evolutionary history of PMEL and GPNMB in clade-representative species and identified TMEM130 as the most ancient paralog of the family. By curating the functional domains in each paralog, we identified many commonalities dating back to the emergence of the gene family in basal metazoans. PMEL and GPNMB have gained functional domains since their divergence from TMEM130, including the core amyloid fragment (CAF) that is critical for the amyloid potential of PMEL. Additionally, the PMEL gene has acquired the enigmatic repeat domain (RPT), composed of a variable number of imperfect tandem repeats; this domain acts in an accessory role to control amyloid formation. Our analyses revealed the vast variability in sequence, length and repeat number in homologous RPT domains between craniates, even within the same taxonomic class. We hope that these analyses inspire further investigation into a gene family that is remarkable from the evolutionary, pathological and cell biology perspectives.
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9
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Savel S, Sombé P. Are dogs with congenital hearing and/or vision impairments so different from sensory normal dogs? A survey of demographics, morphology, health, behaviour, communication, and activities. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230651. [PMID: 32886662 PMCID: PMC7473589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The births of domestic dogs with pigment deletion and associated congenital hearing and/or vision impairments are increasing, as a result of mutations of certain genes expressing popular coat colour patterns (Merle, piebald, Irish spotting). The future of these dogs is often pessimistic (early euthanasia or placement in rescues/fosters, lack of interactions and activities for adults). These pessimistic scenarios result from popular assumptions predicting that dogs with congenital hearing/vision impairments exhibit severe Merle-related health troubles (cardiac, skeletal, neurological), impairment-related behavioural troubles (aggressiveness, anxiety), and poor capacities to communicate, to be trained, and to be engaged in leisure or work activities. However, there is no direct scientific testing, and hence no evidence or refutation, of these assumptions. We therefore addressed an online questionnaire to owners of 223 congenitally sensory impaired (23 vision impaired, 63 hearing impaired, 137 hearing and vision impaired) and 217 sensory normal dogs from various countries. The sensory normal cohort was matched in age, lifetime with owner, breed and sex with the sensory impaired cohort, and was used as a baseline. The questionnaire assessed demographics, morphology, sensory impairments, health and behavioural troubles, activities, and dog-owner communication. Most hearing and/or vision impaired dogs exhibited abnormal pigment deletion in their coat and irises. Vision impaired dogs additionally exhibited ophthalmic abnormalities typically related to Merle. The results are opposed to all above-listed assumptions, except for neurological troubles, which were more frequently reported in sensory impaired dogs. However, we suggest that this finding could be partially accounted for by a lack of diagnosis of breed-related drug sensitivity and impairment-related compulsive behaviours. Results about communication and activities are particularly optimistic. The need for future studies of numerous dogs from various breeds tested for Merle, piebald and medical-drug-resistance genes, and the beneficial effects that present and future research may have on the future of sensory impaired dogs, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Savel
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, LMA UMR 7031, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Patty Sombé
- Non-profit organisation “Blanc Comme Neige”, Pont d’Ouilly, France
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10
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Being Merle: The Molecular Genetic Background of the Canine Merle Mutation. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060660. [PMID: 32560567 PMCID: PMC7349775 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The intensity of the merle pattern is determined by the length of the poly(A) tail of a repeat element which has been inserted into the boundary of intron 10 and exon 11 of the PMEL17 locus in reverse orientation. This poly(A) tail behaves as a microsatellite, and due to replication slippage, longer and shorter alleles of it might be generated during cell divisions. The length of the poly(A) tail regulates the splicing mechanism. In the case of shorter tails, the removal of intron 10 takes place at the original splicing, resulting in a normal premelanosome protein (PMEL). Longer tails generate larger insertions, forcing splicing to a cryptic splice site, thereby coding for an abnormal PMEL protein, which is unable to form the normal fibrillar matrix of the eumelanosomes. Thus, eumelanin deposition ensuring the dark color formation is reduced. In summary, the longer the poly(A) tail, the lighter the coat color intensity of the melanocytes. These mutations can occur in the somatic cells and the resulting cell clones will shape the merle pattern of the coat. When they take place in the germ line, they occasionally produce offspring with unexpected color variations which are different from those of their parents.
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11
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Pelles Z, Gáspárdy A, Zöldág L, Lénárt X, Ninausz N, Varga L, Zenke P. Merle allele variations in the Mudi dog breed and their effects on phenotypes. Acta Vet Hung 2019; 67:159-173. [PMID: 31238727 DOI: 10.1556/004.2019.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A retrotransposon insertion in the SILV gene is associated with a peculiar phenotype of dog, known as a merle. It is characterised by various areas of their coat colour becoming diluted due to a malfunction in the eumelanin-producing pigment cells. Recent studies have shown that the exact size of the short interspersed element (SINE) insertion is in correlation with specific phenotypic attributes, but was not able to absolutely confine dogs to a certain colour pattern. Our study focused on the merle variations occurring in the Mudi breed. Altogether, 123 dog samples from 11 countries were tested and genotyped. The exact length of the merle alleles were determined by automated fluorescent capillary fragment analysis. The most frequent merle genotype in this Mudi sample collection was the 'classic' merle (m/M: 61.8%), whereas other variants, such as atypical (m/Ma and m/Ma+: 5.7%), harlequin (m/Mh: 13.8%), double merle (M/M: 0.8%) and mosaic profiles (17.9%) were also observed. The practical significance of testing this mutation is that, phenotypically, not only merle dogs are carriers of this insertion, but also the so-called hidden merle individuals (where the merle phenotype is fully covered by the pheomelanin-dominated colouration) are potentially capable of producing unintentionally homozygous 'double merle' progeny with ophthalmologic, viability and auditory impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Pelles
- 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Gáspárdy
- 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Zöldág
- 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Xénia Lénárt
- 2Institute of Genetics, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Nóra Ninausz
- 3 Research Centre for Farm Animal Gene Conservation, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - László Varga
- 2Institute of Genetics, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
- 3 Research Centre for Farm Animal Gene Conservation, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Petra Zenke
- 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
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