Researchers improve animal welfare by discovering genetic mutations that cause disease

Gene hunting: The power of precision medicine
Leslie Lyons is a professor of comparative medicine at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. Credit: MU

Humans and animals are made up of trillions of cells, and each cell contains DNA specific to that individual. Therefore, identifying DNA that causes genetic disorders gives researchers and clinicians a better understanding of how to treat inherited diseases and possibly prevent the diseases from being passed down to future generations.

Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have located a specific mutation in the gene responsible for causing Chédiak-Higashi syndrome, a rare condition that weakens the immune system and leaves the body more vulnerable to infections. In their new study, Leslie Lyons, a professor of comparative medicine at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, and Reuben Buckley, a postdoctoral fellow, found the answer by creating a DNA map of a domestic cat with the syndrome.

"Different treatment options target different parts of the gene, so we needed to know which part of the gene was messed up in order to target therapies to the appropriate place," Lyons said. "Similar to finding a specific address, we knew we had the right street but we needed to find the exact house, and modern DNA sequencing helped us find it."

Collaborating with reproduction specialists at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Lyons worked with Smokey, a 16-year-old male cat who served as the last biomedical cat model for Chédiak-Higashi syndrome before passing away. Through in vitro fertilization, Lyons was able to use semen from Smokey to resurrect the previously extinct feline model. Learning if cats are genetic carriers of a certain disease can be useful so that breeders are aware of which cats to avoid breeding together in order to prevent their offspring from being affected.

Gene hunting: The power of precision medicine
Shown here is Bonnie. Credit: MU

Lyons' research team is also studying genetic mutations that cause other diseases, such as , a common inherited disorder that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year and can lead to kidney failure. She highlights the value of translational medicine in her research.

"All mammals tend to have very similar genes, so if we find out what causes a disease in cats, then whatever therapies can be used to help cats can potentially be translated to help humans suffering with the same disease," Lyons said. "Likewise, human research can potentially be translated to help animals as well."

In addition to translational medicine, Lyons' research is also an example of precision medicine, or tailoring specific treatments for a patient according to their individual genetic makeup. Precision will be a key component of the NextGen Precision Health Initiative by helping to accelerate medical breakthroughs for both patients in Missouri and beyond.

More information: R. M. Buckley et al, Assisted reproduction mediated resurrection of a feline model for Chediak-Higashi syndrome caused by a large duplication in LYST, Scientific Reports (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56896-9

Journal information: Scientific Reports
Citation: Researchers improve animal welfare by discovering genetic mutations that cause disease (2020, January 30) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-animal-welfare-genetic-mutations-disease.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Rare feline genetic disorders identified through whole genome sequencing

5 shares

Feedback to editors