Product Description

Spondylocostal Dysostosis (Comma Defect) in Miniature Schnauzer

Spondylocostal Dysostosis (Comma Defect) is an inherited axial skeleton growth disorder that affects the Miniature Schnauzer dog breed. The disorder is characterized by truncal shortening, extensive hemivertebrae and rib anomalies, such as malalignment, fusion, and reduction in number. Spondylocostal dysostosis also affects human patients, but the name Comma Defect is referred only to the canine form of this disorder, due to the gross anatomical shape of the abnormal pups. The disorder has been associated with the mutations in the notch signaling pathway genes.

Characteristics and Symptoms

During embryogenesis, proper formation of somites is essential for normal development of the axial skeleton, skeletal muscles, and dermis in later development. This formation is controlled by expression of numerous genes, in which the Notch signaling pathway genes play a crucial role. Mutations in the genes of the Notch signaling pathway result in improper somites formation, and consequently failure in normal development of the axial skeleton. The affected puppies, due to the severity of skeletal abnormalities, are stillborn or die briefly after birth. Examination of the affected puppies reveals a reduction in body length compared to healthy littermates. Hind limbs are much shorter than front limbs, which gives a comma-like morphology to the body. Abnormalities like umbilical hernia and cleft hard palate are also possible in affected pups. Mortality of the puppies is likely due to impaired respiratory function as a result of a truncal shortening and rib fusion.

Genetics

Spondylocostal Dysostosis (Comma Defect) in Miniature Schnauzers is caused by a mutation in the HES7 gene. Expression of the HES7 is specific to the presomotic mesodersm and is controlled by Notch signaling pathway. Hes7-deficient mice have severe defects of the axial skeleton, which confirms the essential role of Hes7 in somitogenesis. Various HES7 mutations have been detected also in Spondylocostal Dysostosis affected human patients.

The disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Homozygotes are affected and heterozygotes have no symptoms. When mating two carriers (heterozygotes), each cub has a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier. There is no cure for this disorder, and the only way to prevent it is to breed dogs which are not carriers of the mutation. Defected genes for an autosomal recessive disease can be passed for many generations without affected individuals occurring until two carriers are bred to one another. DNA testing for Spondylocostal Dysostosis (Comma Defect) in Miniature Schnauzers enables to recognize carriers and prevent unnecessary neonatal losses.

References:

Willet CE, Makara M, Reppas G, Tsoukalas G, Malik R, Haase B, et al. (2015) Canine Disorder Mirrors Human Disease: Exonic Deletion in HES7 Causes Autosomal Recessive Spondylocostal Dysostosis in Miniature Schnauzer Dogs. PLoS ONE 10(2): e0117055. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117055