Current developments in canine genetics.
In recent years, canine genetics had made huge progress. In 1999 the first complete karyotype and ideogram of the dog was published. Several linkage and RH maps followed. Using these maps, sets of microsatellite markers for whole genome scans were compiled. In 2003 the sequencing of the DNA of a female Boxer began. Now the second version of the dog genome assembly has been put online, and recently, a microchip SNP array became available. Parallel to these developments, some causal mutations for different traits have been identified. Most of the identified mutations were responsible for monogenic canine hereditary diseases. With the tools available now, it is possible to use the advantages of the population structure of the various dog breeds to unravel complex genetic traits. Furthermore, the dog is a suitable model for the research of a large number of human hereditary diseases and particularly for cancer genetics, heart and neurodegenerative diseases. There are some examples where it was possible to benefit from the knowledge of canine genetics for human research. The search for quantitative trait loci (QTL), the testing of candidate genes and genome-wide association studies can now be performed in dogs. QTL for skeletal size variations and for canine hip dysplasia have been already identified and for these complex traits the responsible genes and their possible interactions can now be identified.
Marschall
Yvonne
Y
Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
Distl
Ottmar
O
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D004285:Dogs / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012106:Research; D013045:Species Specificity