Molecular genetic analysis of the ATP2A2 gene as candidate for chronic pastern dermatitis in German draft horses.

This research study aimed to determine if a specific gene (ATP2A2) is responsible for a skin condition (chronic pastern dermatitis) prevalent in German draft horses. The findings indicated that the ATP2A2 gene is not responsible for this condition in these horses.

Research Objective and Background

• The primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential link between the ATP2A2 gene and chronic pastern dermatitis in German draft horses. Chronic pastern dermatitis is a common skin condition in draft horses that is marked by abnormal thickening of the skin.
• Based on similarities between chronic pastern dermatitis in horses and Darier-White disease in humans, the researchers hypothesized that the ATP2A2 gene could be a contributing factor to the condition in horses. The ATP2A2 gene is known to cause Darier-White disease in humans.

Research Methodology

• Linkage analysis, a method used to detect association between a trait and a gene, was conducted in 10 paternal half-sib families consisting of 85 German coldblood horses.
• A microsatellite closely linked to ATP2A2, a microsatellite located within intron 5, and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms within intron 3 of ATP2A2 were used in the linkage analysis. Microsatellites are short, repeating segments of DNA, and introns are non-coding sections of a gene. Additionally, 5 more distantly located flanking microsatellites on equine chromosome 8 (ECA8) were used.

Findings and Conclusion

• The results of the study demonstrated that the markers used in the linkage analysis were not linked to pastern dermatitis. This means there is no evidence to suggest a connection between the ATP2A2 gene and chronic pastern dermatitis.
• Therefore, the researchers concluded that the ATP2A2 gene is not responsible for chronic pastern dermatitis in German coldblood horses.