Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gene change linked to diabetes in overweight domestic shorthaired cats
By Forcada, Y et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2014·Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A polymorphism in the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R:c.92C>T) is associated with diabetes mellitus in overweight domestic shorthaired cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that overweight domestic shorthaired cats with diabetes mellitus (DM) often have a specific genetic variation in the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R). This gene is linked to obesity and appetite control. In the group of overweight diabetic cats, 55% had a certain version of this gene, compared to only 30% of non-diabetic cats. This suggests that this genetic change may play a role in the development of diabetes in overweight cats. Understanding this link can help veterinarians better manage and treat diabetic cats.
People also search for: cat diabetes symptoms · overweight cat treatment · MC4R gene in cats · feline diabetes management · domestic shorthaired cat obesity
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Feline diabetes mellitus (DM) shares many pathophysiologic features with human type 2 DM. Human genome-wide association studies have identified genes associated with obesity and DM, including melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), which plays an important role in energy balance and appetite regulation. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the feline MC4R gene and to determine whether any SNPs are associated with DM or overweight body condition in cats. ANIMALS: Two-hundred forty domestic shorthaired (DSH) cats were recruited for the study. Of these, 120 diabetics were selected (60 overweight, 60 lean), along with 120 nondiabetic controls (60 overweight and 60 lean). Males and females were equally represented. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was performed. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and used as template for PCR amplification of the feline MC4R gene. The coding region of the gene was sequenced in 10 cats to identify polymorphisms. Subsequently, genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis assessed MC4R:c.92C > T allele and genotype frequencies in each group of cats. RESULTS: No significant differences in MC4R:c.92C>T allele or genotype frequencies were identified between nondiabetic overweight and lean cats. In the overweight diabetic group, 55% were homozygous for the MC4R:c.92C allele, compared to 33% of the lean diabetics and 30% of the nondiabetics. The differences between the overweight diabetic and the nondiabetics were significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We identified a polymorphism in the coding sequence of feline MC4R that is associated with DM in overweight DSH cats, similar to the situation in humans.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24372947/