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1From the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; the 2Department of Ophthalmology, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio; 3The Rockefeller University, New York, New York; the 4Cancer Genetics Branch, NHGRI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; and the 5School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| Abstract |
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METHODS. A set of informative experimental pedigrees segregating the rcd2 phenotype was produced. A genome-wide scan of these pedigrees using a set of 241 markers was undertaken. To refine the localized homology between canine and human maps, an RH map of the identified rcd2 region was built using a 3000 cR panel. A positional candidate gene strategy was then undertaken to begin to evaluate potentially causative genes.
RESULTS. A locus responsible for the rcd2 phenotype was mapped to CFA7 in a region corresponding to human chromosome 1, region q32.1-q32.2. Maximum linkage was observed between rcd2 and marker FH3972 (
= 0.02; lod = 25.53), and the critical region was flanked by markers FH2226 and FH3972. As CRB1 is the closest gene on human chromosome 1q known to cause retinal degeneration, canine genespecific markers for CRB1 were developed, and this gene was excluded as a positional candidate for rcd2.
CONCLUSIONS. The rcd2 locus represents a novel retinal degeneration gene. It is anticipated that when identified, this gene will offer new insights into retinal developmental and degenerative processes, and new opportunities for exploring experimental therapies.
The arsenal of modern canine genetics has expanded rapidly in the past 5 years. Public domain resources now include a 7.5x high quality draft sequence of the dog5 (see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/guide/dog/), a large collection of canine-specific SNPs (http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog/snp/, provided in the public domain by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA), and a canine integrated map featuring more than 4200 markers.6 7 In aggregate, these provide extensive support for linkage and association studies in dogs. Canine pedigrees thus have enormous genetic mapping potential, especially when well-characterized canine models are used for the analysis and treatment of corresponding human disorders.8 9 10
Rod cone dysplasia type 2 (rcd2), an early-onset form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), is phenotypically similar to early-onset forms of human retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and segregates naturally in the collie breed of dog.11 The disease has been thoroughly characterized electrophysiologically, morphologically, and biochemically.12 13 14 15 As in RP, night blindness is the earliest clinical sign of rcd2, detectable in 6-week-old affected dogs. By 6 to 8 months of age, rcd2 dogs become functionally blind. Ophthalmoscopic abnormalities can be detected at 3.5 to 4 months of age, including tapetal hyperreflectivity, retinal vascular attenuation, and optic nerve pallor. Retinal dysfunction can be detected by electroretinogram (ERG) as early as 16 days of age. Both rods and cones in the affected retina fail to develop normal outer segments.12 At 6 weeks of age, when the photoreceptors of normal dogs are fully developed, only a few underdeveloped outer segments are visible in rcd2 dogs. By 2 to 2.5 months age, the outer segments completely disappear in the affected retina. Both types of photoreceptors subsequently degeneratecones more slowly than rods.
Biochemically, rcd2 disease is characterized by a 10-fold increase in retinal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content, and a corresponding deficiency in cGMP-phosphodiesterase activity.13 This hallmark of disease is also seen in murine rd and in canine rcd1,16 both of which represent mutations in the gene (PDE6B) for the beta subunit of rod cGMP-phosphodiesterase. PDE6B has been excluded, however, as the rcd2 locus by experimental breeding14 and molecular studies.17
Inheritance of the rcd2 phenotype as a monogenic autosomal recessive trait has been observed in multiple natural collie pedigrees and described in a large body of literature.14 18 19 20 An extensive candidate gene approach has been used in attempts to identify the rcd2 gene. Ten genes that participate in the visual phototransduction cascade (PDE6A, PDE6B, PDE6G, PDE6D, opsin, arrestin, GNAT1, GNBT1, GNGT1, RDS/peripherin) as well as CRX and ROM-1 have been tested by linkage analysis and excluded as rcd2 candidates (Kukekova AV, et al. IOVS 2003;44:ARVO E-Abstract 2325).17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Other known canine PRA loci (erd, prcd) have also been excluded (Acland GM, unpublished data, 2005).14
In this study, we report the mapping of rcd2 to CFA7, the canine orthologue of HSA1q32, and the testing and exclusion of CRB1, a positional candidate gene located in this region. As none of the other genes in this interval are obvious candidates, our results indicate that rcd2 represents a novel retinal-degeneration locus.
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DNA Samples
Tissue samples (blood, spleen) were collected from each animal, and DNA was extracted by standard methods.27 The quality of DNA samples was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis and estimated by the A260:A280 ratio.
Markers
A genome-wide scan of the rcd2 experimental pedigrees with the Marshfield canine screening set of 241 markers was undertaken by Mammalian Genotyping Service (Marshfield, WI). This marker set represents a selection of canine microsatellite markers distributed relatively evenly across the canine genome.
PowerSimulation Study
To calculate the power of the proposed rcd2 pedigrees, we performed two-point linkage analyses of these pedigrees, using simulated marker data and MultiMap.27 Because markers from the standard canine screening set are approximately equally distributed across the canine genome at an average distance of approximately 10 cM, we tested simulated markers under two assumptions: (1) a recombination fraction (
) of 0.0 between rcd2 and the simulated marker; and (2)
= 0.1. For the best-case scenario (
= 0) and assuming marker polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.37 (heterozygosity, 0.49), our simulation study yielded a lod score = 28.297; for
= 0.1 a lod score of 14.282 was obtained.
Analysis of Genome-Wide Screen Data
Marker genotypes were analyzed using the MultiMap software package,27 as described previously.28 29 30 Genotypes were checked for Mendelian segregation, using the Prepare option of MultiMap. Linkage between the rcd2 locus and each marker was determined using the MultiMap Best-Twopoint function. The marker order on the chromosome of interest was determined by multipoint analysis. Markers were assigned to linkage groups (using the Find All Linkage Groups function of MultiMap) if linked to at least one other marker in the group with a
0.4 and a lod score of at least 3.0 (equivalent to odds of 1000:1 in favor of linkage). A sex-averaged framework map was then constructed beginning with the pair of markers with the highest joint PIC value and for which a recombination fraction of 0.05 to 0.4 was supported with a lod score
3.0. To order disease locus and genetic markers along the chromosome, further markers were added to a linkage group in decreasing order of informativeness until no further markers could be localized to a unique interval with a lod score
3.0. The FLIPS function of MultiMap was used to ensure that the odds in favor of the final order of each marker pair were at least 1000:1 over alternative orders.
Development of CRB1-Associated Polymorphic Markers
The human CRB1 gene sequence was obtained from http://genome.ucsc.edu/ (provided in the public domain by UCSC Genome Bioinformatics, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA) and analyzed by using BLAST against the canine genome sequence present in the Trace archive database (http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/Traces/trace.cgi?, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD). Canine sequences identified through the blast search were combined in a contig and aligned against the human CRB1 gene using the Cornell University server: http://ser-loopp.tc.cornell.edu/cbsu/align2genome.htm. Simple repeat elements were identified in canine CRB1 introns 3, 5, and 7. Oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify three gene-specific microsatellites. One of the repeats within intron 5 was found to be polymorphic in rcd2-informative pedigrees. The sequence of the PCR product was consistent with the original canine sequence. Primers CRB1MF4 (5'-ATATGAGTTAAGAAGTCCTGGCT-3') and CRB1MR4 (5'-GCATGATAACCTTGGAAACCACT-3') were used for genotyping. The CRB1 marker was amplified from 50 ng of genomic DNA by using the following conditions: 96°C for 2 minutes; 30 cycles of 96°C (20 seconds), 58°C (20 seconds), and 72°C (20 seconds); and a final extension at 72°C for 5 minutes. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis through 10% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels.
Radiation Hybrid Mapping of the CFA7 rcd2 Region
A commercially available 3000-rad canine radiation hybrid panel (RH3000) was used (Research Genetics, Huntsville, AL). Microsatellite markers that showed linkage to rcd2 and selected markers previously mapped to the same region of canine CFA7 using a different 5000-rad panel (RH5000)31 were mapped with the RH3000 panel (Fig. 1) . A CRB1 gene-specific marker was designed based on the sequence of canine CRB1 intron 5 retrieved from the Trace archive database. The same pair of CRB1 primers was used for RH mapping and genotyping. Primers RHSYT14F3 (5'-GCTAACTGGAAACAGTGACCAGA-3') and RHSYT14R2 (5'-GTCACTTGGAACATCTTCTTCGT-3') were also designed and used for RH mapping of synaptotagmin XIV (SYT14), another gene located on HSA1q32. Primers for previously published markers used in the present study (FH2226, CD34, CPH20, REN314O07, FH1031, FH3972, REN300M13, REN319J07, and CENPF) are available from the Web site (http://www.research.nhgri.nih.gov/dog_genome/guyon2003/guyonmarkers_data/CFA07MarkerTable.html). Each marker was amplified on the RH panel under the following conditions: 96°C for 2 minutes; 30 cycles of 96°C (20 seconds), 58°C (20 seconds), and 72°C (20 seconds); and a final extension at 72°C for 5 minutes. All PCR reactions were performed using 25 ng of genomic DNA from each cell line in a final volume 15 µL, and the products were separated on a 1.8% agarose gel. PCR products were visualized by ethidium bromide staining. All markers were scored, and the complete set was analyzed with MultiMap.27 Multipoint analysis was used to order markers and determine intermarker distances. Distances (D) were calculated as D = ln(1
), where
is the frequency of breakage. Distances are expressed in centirays3000 (cR3000).
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2 = 0.504; P = 0.478). Dominant transmission was ruled out by multiple examples of affected pups produced from nonaffected-to-nonaffected breeding (data not shown; but see, for example, individual 13, Fig. 2 ). X-linked inheritance was ruled out by multiple examples of affected female pups produced from nonaffected-to-nonaffected breeding (data not shown).
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= 0.02; lod = 25.535), VIASD10 (
= 0.07; lod = 17.08), and FH2226 (
= 0.072; lod = 14.128; Table 1 ). The marker order on the chromosome of interest was determined using multipoint analysis (Fig. 1) . Haplotypes for CFA7 markers were assembled (Fig. 2) and the rcd2 interval was identified as positioned between markers FH2226 and FH3972, a distance of 61.4 cR. In several dogs, non-Mendelian inheritance of marker alleles was observed (see, for example, individual 6, allele 203, Figure 2 ). This phenomenon is not unexpected in microsatellite genotyping, especially for a marker like FH2226, which is a complex (CCTT)n(CTTT)n repeat. In this data set, four new alleles for FH2226 were observed in 172 meiosesa rate of 0.023. Fortunately, haplotype analysis allowed each of these to be resolved.
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Exclusion of CRB1 as a Positional Candidate for rcd2
Canine sequences corresponding to the human CRB1 gene were obtained from the Trace archive database and aligned in a contig using the Cornell server. The structure of the canine CRB1 gene was similar to that of human CRB1. A polymorphic microsatellite was identified in CRB1 intron 5 and used as a marker to test for cosegregation between CRB1 and rcd2. Four rcd2 informative pedigrees were tested, and three recombinant animals were identified. An identified canine CRB1 microsatellite was placed on RH map 3000 to confirm the location of CRB1 on CFA7 close to the rcd2 flanking marker FH2226, but outside of the critical rcd2 interval. CRB1 was also observed to be outside the rcd2 interval in the assembled sequence of the canine genome, and outside the paralogous human genome interval. Based on linkage and RH data, CRB1 was excluded as a candidate gene for rcd2 (Figs. 1 2) .
| Discussion |
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From linkage analyses, rcd2 is located between markers FH2226 and FH3972. The closest canine gene-specific markers to rcd2, located by RH mapping, are CD34 and SYT14. From the first assembly of the canine genome, the location of microsatellites FH2226 and FH3972 can be identified as CFA7:8,730,713-8,730,961 and CFA7:12,595,597-12,595,819 respectively, making the zero recombination interval 3,864,634 nucleotides (nts). Refseq genes FCAMR (CFA7:8,748,646-8,752,169) and SLC30A1 (CFA7:12,560,688-12,564,152) approximately delimit this interval in the canine genome sequence, and allow precise identification of the paralogous human interval to HSA1:203,519,748-208,140,494, a distance of 4,620,747 nts, assuming complete conservation of synteny and gene order. Cytogenetically, this corresponds to the human interval HSA1q32.2-q32.3. No genes causing retinal degeneration in humans have been identified in the region corresponding to canine rcd2, although conservation of synteny suggests a possible overlap of the canine rcd2 and murine rd3 map intervals.34 We expect that rcd2 may account for some of the cases of early-onset RP or Leber congenital amaurosis for which no causative gene has yet been identified.
Biochemical studies have demonstrated that rcd2 is associated with a deficiency in cGMP-phosphodiesterase activity.13 15 Identification of the rcd2-causative gene is thus expected to provide new insight into the mechanisms of both the phototransduction cascade and retinal degeneration.
Canine breed-specific forms of PRA provide critical models for the study and treatment of corresponding human diseases.1 2 9 35 Once the rcd2 gene and mutation responsible are identified, it will be feasible to test this gene for candidacy in potentially homologous human disorders. Progress toward therapies for human retinal degenerations is clearly accelerating,9 36 37 38 39 40 41 aided by a variety of approaches and model systems. It is evident that different therapies work in different disease models and that no single therapy is generally applicable.35 42 43 44 45 This has led to a growing appreciation of the importance of a rich set of animal models to identify specifically promising and appropriate therapies and move them from the laboratory into clinical use. In this regard, the rcd2 dog, as a new large animal model of retinal degeneration, encoding a clearly novel gene, is a worthy addition to the armamentarium.
| Acknowledgements |
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| Footnotes |
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Submitted for publication July 6, 2005; revised October 7, 2005; accepted December 27, 2005.
Disclosure: A.V. Kukekova, None; J. Nelson, None; R.W. Kuchtey, None; J.K. Lowe, None; J.L. Johnson, None; E.A. Ostrander, None; G.D. Aguirre, None; G.M. Acland, None
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Gregory M. Acland, James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853; gma2{at}cornell.edu.
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-subunit of cGMP-phosphodiesterase in canine retinal rod photoreceptor cells. Gene. 1996;181:15.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
-1: cloning of the cDNA and evaluation of the gene as a candidate for progressive retinal atrophy. Curr Eye Res. 1997;16:7177.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]This article has been cited by other articles:
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A. V. Kukekova, L. N. Trut, I. N. Oskina, J. L. Johnson, S. V. Temnykh, A. V. Kharlamova, D. V. Shepeleva, R. G. Gulievich, S. G. Shikhevich, A. S. Graphodatsky, et al. A meiotic linkage map of the silver fox, aligned and compared to the canine genome Genome Res., March 1, 2007; 17(3): 387 - 399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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