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1637: Identification of DNA Marker(s) for Cataracts in Purebred Dogs, with Emphasis on the Breeds Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and Samoyed

Grant Status: Closed

Grant Amount: $86,544

Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, PhD, Michigan State University

September 28, 1998 - September 27, 2000

Sponsor(s): Alaskan Malamute Club of America, Inc., Alaskan Malamute Research Foundation, Inc., Samoyed Club of America Education & Research Foundation, Siberian Husky Club of America

Breed(s): Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Siberian Husky

Disease(s): Cataracts

Project Summary

To better understand the mode of inheritance of canine cataracts, researchers collected extensive DNA, pedigree and clinical information from breeders and owners of Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds. The data point to autosomal recessive inheritance, indicating that affected dogs must receive a gene from each parent. To try to find the genetic marker for the disease, researchers did a genome-wide linkage analysis with microsatellite markers in each breed. This work has eliminated large portions of the genome for harboring the causative gene and honed in on a region for the Samoyed cataracts. Further work should lead to identification of markers for each breed. While different types of cataracts can exist in a breed, there are some breeds where specific cataracts occur and appear to be inherited. Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds have characteristic cataracts that are observed in young dogs.