Prospective echocardiographic and tissue Doppler imaging screening of a population of Maine Coon cats tested for the A31P mutation in the myosin-binding protein C gene: a specific analysis of the heterozygous status.
BACKGROUND
A mutation in the sarcomeric gene coding for the myosin-binding protein C gene has been identified in a colony of Maine Coon cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MyBPC3-A31P mutation). However, the close correlation between genotype and phenotype (left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] and dysfunction) has never been assessed in a large population, particularly in heterozygous (Hetero) cats.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate LV morphology and function with echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in a population of Maine Coon cats tested for the MyBPC3-A31P mutation with focus on Hetero animals.


METHODS
Ninety-six Maine Coon cats.


METHODS
Prospective observational study. Cats were screened for the MyBPC3-A31P mutation and examined with both echocardiography and 2-dimensional color TDI.


RESULTS
Fifty-two out of 96 cats did not have the mutation (wild-type genotype, Homo WT), 38/96 and 6/96 were Hetero- and homozygous-mutated (Homo M) cats, respectively. Only 11% of Hetero cats (4/38) had LVH and 29% (10/34) of Hetero cats without LVH were >4 years old (4.1-11.5 years). LVH was also detected in 2 Homo WT cats (4%). A significantly decreased (P < .05) longitudinal E/A (ratio between early and late diastolic myocardial velocities) in the basal segment of the interventricular septum was observed in Hetero cats without LVH (n = 34) compared with Homo WT cats without LVH (n = 50), thus confirming that the Hetero status is associated with regional diastolic dysfunction (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The heterozygous status is not consistently associated with LVH and major myocardial dysfunction. Moreover, Homo WT cats can also develop LVH, suggesting that other genetic causes might be implicated.
Carlos Sampedrano
C
C
Unité de Cardiologie d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Chetboul
V
V
Mary
J
J
Tissier
R
R
Abitbol
M
M
Serres
F
F
Gouni
V
V
Thomas
A
A
Pouchelon
J-L
JL
D000818:Animals; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D002415:Cats; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006720:Homozygote; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D000099163:Myosin Binding Protein C
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D000099163:Myosin Binding Protein C