02160: Identification of Genetic Variants Associated with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration in the Whippet Dog through Whole-Genome Sequencing
Grant Status: Closed
Abstract
Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MVD) is one of the most common heart diseases in dogs. MVD leads to structural heart changes and congestive heart failure, making this disease one of high morbidity and mortality. The Whippet breed is overrepresented in cases of MVD and pedigree analysis suggests this to be an inherited condition in this breed. Longitudinal clinical investigations into Whippet dog MVD reveals that Whippets frequently suffer from this common disease and may be affected at a significantly younger age than the general dog population. The proposed study will complete the next phase of our genetic studies of MVD in Whippets and utilize prospective cardiac screenings already completed at the Whippet National Specialty and stored affected and unaffected DNA samples. Genome wide association studies performed by the investigators have already provided chromosomal regions of interest most likely to contain disease-associated variants within genes or micro-RNAs. DNA samples will be used to complete whole genome sequencing and identify variants of interest that segregate with disease. Identification of genetic markers associated with MVD in Whippets would facilitate discovery of a causative mutation and ultimately enable genetic testing and reduction of disease prevalence in this breed. Additionally, identification of the molecular basis of MVD may help elucidate novel therapeutic or testing strategies in the treatment and management of this condition.
Publication(s)
None at this time.
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