Canine inherited retinal degenerations: update on molecular genetic research and its clinical application.
Inherited retinal degenerations in the dog include generalised progressive retinal atrophy, retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy, congenital stationary night blindness and day blindness (hemeralopia). The clinical phenotype and pathology of these diseases closely resemble some types of human inherited retinal degeneration, in particular retinitis pigmentosa, one of the most common inherited causes of blindness in man. Molecular genetic investigations aim to identify the genetic mutations underlying the canine inherited retinal degenerations. Two major research strategies, candidate gene analysis and linkage analysis, have been used. To date, candidate gene analysis has definitively identified the genetic mutations underlying nine inherited retinal degenerations, each in a different breed of dog, and linkage studies have identified genetic markers for a further retinal degeneration which is found in at least six different breeds. This review outlines the research strategy behind candidate gene and linkage studies and summarises recent results in the search for genetic causes of canine inherited retinal degenerations. The aim is to increase awareness of this rapidly changing field and to show how the research can be used to develop genetic tests for these diseases and thereby reduce the incidence of inherited eye disease in dogs.
Lin
C-T
CT
Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 142 Chou-San Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Gould
D J
DJ
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford BS40 5DU.
Petersen-Jones
S M
SM
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, D208 Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA.
Sargan
D R
DR
Centre for Veterinary Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES.
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D036281:Genetic Research; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*