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Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory

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Successes and 2019 goals for 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative!

The 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative continues to expand in participants and cat genomes! Approximately 40 different research institutions, zoological parks, pet food companies and animal health companies are contributing to the 99 Lives Project. We have genomes from over 200 domestic cats now – twice the original 99 Lives goal! Many wild felid genomes are included as well.

The Feline Genetics & Comparative Medicine Laboratory at MU has submitted ~117 domestic cats for whole genome sequencing, as MU-specific projects and in collaborations with the 99 Lives Consortium. These cats represent 59 different genetic health and trait projects. Four different wild felid species have been submitted as well, encompassing five different health projects. Several studies have been published including an example of performing Precision Medicine in cats!1-5. Twenty-eight of 59 domestic cat projects (47%) are highly likely to be solved! Several unsolved projects will need additional cat genome sequencing for complex diseases such as asthma, feline oral facial pain, fibrosarcoma, wool sucking behavior, FIP susceptibility/resistance, amyloidosis in Siamese and cytauxzoonosis susceptibility/resistance.

99 Lives has proven success – help keep us rolling and get our manuscripts published! Donate and participate when you can – start new projects!

  1. Oh A, Pearce JW, Gandolfi B, et al. Early-Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy Associated with an IQCB1 Variant in African Black-Footed Cats (Felis nigripes). Scientific Reports 2017;7:43918.
  2. Mauler DA, Gandolfi B, Reinero CR, et al. Precision medicine in cats: novel Neimann-Pick Type 1 diagnosed by whole genome sequencing. J Vet Intern Med 2017;2:539-544.
  3. Aberdein D, Munday JS, Gandolfi B, et al. A FAS-ligand variant associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in cats. Mamm Genome 2017;28:47-55.
  4. Lyons LA, Creighton EK, Alhaddad H, et al. Whole genome sequencing in cats, identifies new models for blindness in AIPL1 and somite segmentation in HES7. BMC Genomics 2016;17:265.
  5. Gandolfi B, Grahn RA, Creighton EK, et al. COLQ variant associated with Devon Rex and Sphynx feline hereditary myopathy. Anim Genet 2015;46:711-715.

The DNA variants have been identified for 14 additional projects and we are continuing to produce the data and information required for publications, including;

  • Bengal Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Dwarfism
  • Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
  • 3 forms of methemoglobinopathy
  • Lykoi hair coat – 4 variants
  • Hydrocephalus
  • 2 forms of Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome (stretchy skin)
  • 1 form of multiple systems degeneration
  • 1 form of a neurological / skeletal disorder
  • Risk variants for Abyssinian amyloidosis
  • Risk variants for feline spontaneous epilepsy

Most recent analyses has led to the identification of several candidate genes and DNA variants for five (5) breed-specific traits that still need to be validated, including,

  • Korats with persistent dilated pupils
  • Siberians with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Ragdolls with a missing uterine horn / kidney
  • Egyptian Maus with urate stones
  • LaPerm hair coat

Collaborators have identified at least four different DNA variants for cat diseases and traits as well.

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Contact the Lyons' Den

Leslie A. Lyons, PhD
Gilbreath-McLorn Endowed Professor of Comparative Medicine
Veterinary Medicine & Surgery
College of Veterinary Medicine
E109 Vet Med Building
1520 E. Rollins St.
University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
lyonsla@missouri.edu
Phone: 573 882 9777
Lab: 573 884 2287
Lab e-mail: felinegenome@missouri.edu
Professor Emerita - UC - Davis

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