The canine era: the rise of a biomedical model

Abstract

SummarySince the annotation of its genome a decade ago, the dog has proven to be an excellent model for the study of inherited diseases. A large variety of spontaneous simple and complex phenotypes occur in dogs, providing physiologically relevant models to corresponding human conditions. In addition, gene discovery is facilitated in clinically less heterogeneous purebred dogs with closed population structures because smaller study cohorts and fewer markers are often sufficient to expose causal variants. Here, we review the development of genomic resources from microsatellites to whole-genome sequencing and give examples of successful findings that have followed the technological progress. The increasing amount of whole-genome sequence data warrants better functional annotation of the canine genome to more effectively utilise this unique model to understand genetic contributions in morphological, behavioural and other complex traits.

PETscan: measuring incidence of disease phenotypes to prioritize genetic studies in companion animals

“…At the same time, increased disease frequency in a genetically homogeneous population creates an opportunity for discovery of causal genes (Van Steenbeek et al . ). This also creates the opportunity of a dog model for human diseases, as shown by the collaborative LUPA initiative (Lequarré et al .…”

The potential of translational research in dogs in human medicine

“…A similar strategy was undertaken in various other diseases, including psychiatric disease [20]. The process is being hastened by the development of various genomic resources [21].…”

Analogies in behavioral and emotional disorders between dogs and humans

“…Wiedza dotycząca mechanizmów regulacyjnych leżących u podłoża niektórych zaburzeń daje zupełnie nową perspektywę, co do poszukiwania farmakologicznego wspomagania terapii behawioralnych, które w takich przypadkach, stosowane jako jedyna interwencja, są nieskuteczne. Ważny jest także drugi aspekt związany z analogią niektórych zaburzeń zachowania: podobieństwa pomiędzy ludźmi i psami mogą być wykorzystywane do badań w kontekście genetycznych uwarunkowań zaburzeń psychicznych (13), tym bardziej, że genom psa uważany jest za łatwiejszy do analizy aniżeli ludzki (43).…”