Copper poisoning in Bedlington terriers linked to several gene changes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bedlington terrier copper toxicosis (CT) is due to a homozygous exon deletion in COMMD1. CT also occurs in Bedlingtons lacking this deletion. An association with two ABCA12 single nuceotide polymorphism (SNP) splice variants was reported. Labrador retriever CT is associated with a missense mutation in ATP7B, and with a protective mutation in ATP7A. METHODS: Liver and DNA samples from 24 affected and 10 unaffected Bedlingtons were assessed for copper and genetic variants. Allelic frequencies were compared. The ATP7B mutation frequency was investigated in 144 dogs of other breeds. RESULTS: The ABCA12 SNPs showed no differences between groups. The COMMD1 deletion was less frequent in unaffected than in affected dogs and in affected dogs post-2001 than pre-2001. The ATP7B mutation was more frequent in affected than unaffected Bedlingtons. Thirty-five of 144 dogs of other breeds were homo- or heterozygous for the ATP7B mutation. The ATP7A mutation was absent from Bedlingtons. LIMITATIONS: Clinical information and qualitative copper measurements were unavailable for most dogs. CONCLUSION: The COMMD1 deletion remains present in Bedlington terriers but is no longer the primary cause of CT. ABCA12 SNPs were not associated with CT. The ATP7B:c.4358G>A mutation was significantly associated with Bedlington CT and was more common in dogs of this breed than in the 144 dogs of other breeds.