Söder, Josefin
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Research article2016Peer reviewedOpen access
A Deletion in the Canine POMC Gene Is Associated with Weight and Appetite in Obesity-Prone Labrador Retriever Dogs
Raffan, Eleanor; Söder, Josefin; Wernersson, Sara; Andersson, Göran; O'Rahilly, Stephen; Davies, Rowena J.; O'Donovan, Conor J.; Decker, Julia M.; Scott, Robert A.; Smith, Stephen P.; Withers, David J.
Abstract
Sequencing of candidate genes for obesity in Labrador retriever dogs identified a 14 bp deletion in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) with an allele frequency of 12%. The deletion disrupts the b-MSH and b-endorphin coding sequences and is associated with body weight (per allele effect of 0.33 SD), adiposity, and greater food motivation. Among other dog breeds, the deletion was only found in the closely related flat-coat retriever (FCR), where it is similarly associated with body weight and food motivation. The mutation is significantly more common in Labrador retrievers selected to become assistance dogs than pets. In conclusion, the deletion in POMC is a significant modifier of weight and appetite in Labrador retrievers and FCRs and may influence other behavioral traits.
Published in
Cell Metabolism
2016, volume: 23, number: 5, pages: 893-900
SLU Authors
Wernersson, Sara
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Andersson, Göran
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
UKÄ Subject classification
Genetics and Breeding
Animal and Dairy Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2016.04.012
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79797