Product Description
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIa New Zealand Huntaway Type (MPS IIIA)
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIa New Zealand Huntaway Type (MPS IIIA) is a hereditary lysosomal storage disorder affecting New Zealand Huntaway breed. The disorder is a part of a bigger group of disorders, mucopolysaccharidoses. Until now, eleven types of mucopolysaccharidosis have been differentiated in humans. They vary in clinical symptoms, but some characteristics are common to all forms, such as dwarfism, undeveloped epiphyseal centers, dysostosis multiplex, facial dysmorphia, corneal clouding and organomegaly. They are known to affect humans, mice, dogs and cats. Mucopolysaccharidosis III, also known as Sanfilippo syndrome, comes in two different forms, Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIa and Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIb. Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIa New Zealand Huntaway Type (MPS IIIA) is an animal homolog of human Sanfilippo syndrome type and it is characterized by progressive neurological signs with little effect on bones and other organs as occurs in other forms of mucopolysaccharides.
Enzyme heparan sulfate sulfamidase (HSS), also known as heparan N-sulfatase, is an exohydrolase active inside the lysosomes, where is catalyzes the cleavage of the N-sulfate bond within the heparan sulfate. When the enzyme is present in too low concentrations, or its activity is not proper, accumulation of heparan sulfate in tissues occurs, resulting in development of symptoms of Sanfilippo syndrome type A. In humans, accumulation of heparan sulfate in a proteoglycan form is associated also with other neurodegenerative disorders, such as the Alzheimer’s and the Parkinson’s disease.
Characteristics and Symptoms
Age of onset of Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIa in affected New Zealand Huntaway dogs is around 1.5 years of age. Symptoms include progressive ataxia, high stepping, prancing gait affecting the forelegs, and difficulty with jumping. Ataxia and hypermetria are present in all four limbs. A crossed exterior response is seen when the hindlimb withdrawal reflexes are being assessed. The patella, cranial tibial, and gastrocnemius reflexes are exaggerated in both hindlimbs with clonus observed on the right side. Behavioral abnormalities have been observed, such as loss of learned behavior.
Due to rapid progression of the disease, affected dogs are often euthanized within a month of the onset of clinical signs.
Genetics
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIa New Zealand Huntaway Type (MPS IIIA) is caused by a mutation within SGSH gene. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Dog can be clear, carrier or affected. Healthy parents of an affected dog are obligate heterozygotes, and therefore carry one mutant allele. Heterozygotes have no symptoms. At conception, 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.
References:
Jolly RD, Johnstone AC, Hubbard DE et al. Screening for the mucopolysaccharidosis-IIIA gene in Huntaway dogs. New Zealand Vet J. 2002;50(3):122.