Grant Amount: $29,923

Dr. Robert K Wayne, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

Sponsor(s): Australian Terrier International, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Samoyed Club of America Education & Research Foundation, Starlight Fund, Welsh Terrier Club of America, Inc.

Breed(s): Airedale Terrier, American Eskimo Dog, Bloodhound, Briard, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Kerry Blue Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Whippet

Disease(s): Melanoma

Research Program Area: Oncology

Abstract

Not all genes are active at all times. DNA methylation (the addition of methyl groups to DNA) is one of several mechanisms that cells use to control gene expression. Abnormal patterns of DNA methylation have been observed in human cancer. However, methylation remains an unexplored dimension of canine disease. This seed grant to Dr. Wayne will allow him to establish the techniques and methodologies necessary to define the pattern of normal variation in methylomes (the genome-wide collection of methylated sites) from an array-based analysis of a variety of domestic dog breeds. Differences in methylation found between breed lineages will be complemented by the study of gene expression to understand how methylation regulates levels of expression. Upon completion of this study, Dr. Wayne's laboratory will have proof-of-principle for evaluation of the canine methylome. Ultimately, he intends to establish a public web-based resource to serve as a repository for the dog methylomes. The collection of methylomes they generate will contribute to the growing resources that are available for investigation of disease etiology as well as advancing therapeutic approaches. These data will provide a new resource for understanding how gene regulation through methylation affects phenotype, disease and overall canine health.