Retrospective diagnosis of feline GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (Sandhoff-like disease) in Japan: possible spread of the mutant allele in the Japanese domestic cat population

GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (human Sandhoff disease) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by simultaneous deficiencies of acid beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) A and Hex B due to an abnormality of beta-subunit, a common component in these enzyme molecules, which is coded by the HEXB gene. In the present study, a retrospective diagnosis was performed in 2 previous suspected cases of feline Sandhoff-like disease using a DNA test to detect the causative mutation identified previously in 4 cats in 2 other families of Japanese domestic cats. Enzymic analysis was also performed using stored leukocytes and plasma collected from the subject families in order to investigate the usefulness of enzymic diagnosis and genotyping of carriers. The DNA test suggested that the 2 cases were homozygous recessive for the mutation. Consequently, 6 cats homozygous for the same mutation have been found in 4 separate locations of Japan, suggesting that this mutant allele may be spread widely in the Japanese domestic cat populations. In enzymic analysis, Hex A and Hex B activities in leukocytes and plasma measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide as a substrate were negligible in affected cats, compared with those in normal and carrier cats. However, there was a wide overlap in enzyme activity between normal and carrier cats. Therefore, it was concluded that enzymic analysis is useful for diagnosis of affected cats, but is not acceptable for genotyping of carriers.     

O型口蹄疫病毒衣壳酸敏感性位点的筛选

为筛选与O型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)衣壳酸敏感性相关的位点,本研究以牛源O型FMDV ON株为研究对象开展耐酸性毒株筛选工作.通过给予pH 6.0酸性环境连续诱变,筛选获得6株耐酸性毒株.将诱变病毒与亲本病毒衣壳蛋白编码区P1区序列比对后发现7个核苷酸突变,即共同存在于6株耐酸毒株P1区的错义突变A1334G(Y445C)、A1643G(Q548R)、A1822G/A1823C(N608A)及同义突变G1371A,另有仅存在于耐酸毒株m2 P1区的错义突变C1849T(P617S)和仅存在于耐酸毒株m1 P1区的同义突变G468T.本研究为O型FMDV酸敏感性分子机制的揭示及病毒衣壳酸稳定性的提高奠定了基础.     

三穗鸭肌细胞增强因子基因多态性与屠宰性状的相关性分析

为了解三穗鸭肌细胞增强因子(myocyte enhancer factor 2A,MEF2A)SNPs与屠宰性状的相关性,本研究以60只三穗鸭为研究对象,采用PCR-SSCP方法结合PCR产物直接测序技术对三穗鸭MEF2A基因多态性进行检测,并进行SNPs与屠宰性状各指标的相关分析。结果表明,在MEF2A基因中共发现了2个SNPs:第11外显子的g.47915G>A位点和g.47918G>A位点,g.47915G>A位点发生的G/A突变使密码子由GAA变为AAA,翻译出的氨基酸由谷氨酸变成赖氨酸,g.47918G>A位点的G/A突变引起的密码子由GAT变成AAT,翻译出的氨基酸由天冬氨酸变成天冬酰胺。SNPs与屠宰性状的关联性分析表明,g.47915G>A和g.47918G>A位点影响全净膛率。这一结果揭示了MEF2A基因的多态性对三穗鸭屠体性状具有重要的影响。     

Polymorphisms of MEF2A Gene and its Relationship with Slaughter Traits in Sansui Duck

To understand the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) of myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) gene and slaughter traits in Sansui duck, a total of 60 individuals of Sansui ducks were selected to investigate in this study, direct sequencing of PCR and PCR-SSCP methods were used on single nucleotide polymorphisms of MEF2A gene, and genetic effects of its on slaughter traits were analyzed.The results showed that two SNPs which include g.47915G>A and g.47918G>A of exon 11 were found in MEF2A gene, and the G/A mutation in the g.47915G>A SNP resulted in the change of codon from GAA to AAA, and the coding amino acid from Glu to Lys, and the G/A mutation in the g.47918G>A SNP resulted in the change of codon from GAT to AAT, and the coding amino acid from Asp to Asn.The result of association of SNPs with slaughter traits showed various results were as follows:g.47915G>A and g.47918G>A had affected the eviscerated percentage.This result revealed that the polymorphism of MEF2A gene had basilic influence on slaughter traits.     

GM2 Gangliosidosis Variant 0 (Sandhoff‐Like Disease) in a Family of Toy Poodles

Background: GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (human Sandhoff disease) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiencies of acid β‐hexosaminidase (Hex) A and Hex B because of an abnormality of the β‐subunit, a common component in these enzyme molecules, which is coded by the HEXB gene. Objective: To describe the clinical, pathological, biochemical, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Sandhoff‐like disease identified in a family of Toy Poodles. Animals: Three red‐haired Toy Poodles demonstrated clinical signs including motor disorders and tremor starting between 9 and 12 months of age. The animals finally died of neurological deterioration between 18 and 23 months of age. There were some lymphocytes with abnormal cytoplasmic vacuoles detected. Methods: Observational case study. Results: The common MRI finding was diffuse T2‐hyperintensity of the subcortical white matter in the cerebrum. Bilateral T2‐hyperintensity and T1‐hypointensity in the nucleus caudatus, and atrophic findings of the cerebrum and cerebellum, were observed in a dog in the late stage. Histopathologically, swollen neurons with pale to eosinophilic granular materials in the cytoplasm were observed throughout the central nervous system. Biochemically, GM2 ganglioside had accumulated in the brain, and Hex A and Hex B were deficient in the brain and liver. Pedigree analysis demonstrated that the 3 affected dogs were from the same family line. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The Sandhoff‐like disease observed in this family of Toy Poodles is the 2nd occurrence of the canine form of this disease and the 1st report of its identification in a family of dogs.     

A novel CYP27B1 mutation causes a feline vitamin D-dependent rickets type IA

A 12-week-old domestic cat presented at a local veterinary clinic with hypocalcemia and skeletal abnormalities suggestive of rickets. Osteomalacia (rickets) is a disease caused by impaired bone mineralization leading to an increased prevalence of fractures and deformity. Described in a variety of species, rickets is most commonly caused by vitamin D or calcium deficiencies owing to both environmental and or genetic abnormalities. Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR-1A) is a result of the enzymatic pathway defect caused by mutations in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-1-alpha-hydroxylase gene [cytochrome P27 B1 (CYP27B1)]. Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D(3), regulates calcium homeostasis, which requires sufficient dietary calcium availability and correct hormonal function for proper bone growth and maintenance. Patient calcitriol concentrations were low while calcidiol levels were normal suggestive of VDDR-1A. The entire DNA coding sequencing of CYP27B1 was evaluated. The affected cat was wild type for previously identified VDDR-1A causative mutations. However, six novel mutations were identified, one of which was a nonsense mutation at G637T in exon 4. The exon 4 G637T nonsense mutation results in a premature protein truncation, changing a glutamic acid to a stop codon, E213X, likely causing the clinical presentation of rickets. The previously documented genetic mutation resulting in feline VDDR-1A rickets, as well as the case presented in this research, result from novel exon 4 CYP27B1 mutations, thus exon 4 should be the initial focus of future sequencing efforts.     

Analysis of synonymous codon usage in foot-and-mouth disease virus

In this study, we calculate the relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) values and codon usage bias (CUB) values to carry out a comparative analysis of codon usage pattern for open reading frames (ORFs) among 85 samples which belong to all seven serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Although the degree of CUB for ORFs is a relatively slight, there is a significant variation for CUB among different serotypes, which is mainly determined by codon usage pattern depending on RSCU. By comparison with RSCU values for all samples, although RSCU values fail to show the relationship of specific-lineage serotype, there are two main genetic populations existing in FMDV, namely (i) serotypes Asia 1, A, C &O; (ii) serotypes SAT 1, 2 & 3. This interesting characteristic may be formed by the mechanism of RNA virus recombination. The analysis of quantitative & qualitative evaluation based on CUB indicates interesting characteristic of codon usage, which suggests that more FMDV genome diversity may exist in specific-lineage serotypes rather than exist randomly. Furthermore, the relationship between amino acids and codon usage pattern indicates that mutation pressure rather than translational selection in nature is the important determinant of the codon usage bias observed. Our work might give some sight into some characteristics of FMDV ORF and some evolutionary information of this virus.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒国内分离经典株与变异株的全基因组序列分析

通过分段设计引物,对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)LX、JX株基因组进行RT-PCR扩增,对各片段cDNA进行克隆和序列测定,拼接后获得全基因组序列。结果,PRRSV LX株全基因组序列长度为15 412 bp(不包括PolyA尾),PRRSV JX株全基因组序列长度为15 320 bp(不包括PolyA尾)。序列分析表明,JX株全基因组核苷酸序列与LX株、JXA1、VR2332、CH-1a、BJ-4、LV同源性分别为91.1%、98.6%、91.0%、94.6%、90.9%、61.7%;LX株全基因组核苷酸序列与JX株、JXA1、VR2332、CH-1a、BJ-4、LV同源性分别为91.1%、89.7%、99.7%、91.5%、99.7%、62.2%。对不同分离株的5′-UTR、Nsp2进行了序列比较,并根据5′-UTR、Nsp2、ORF5的基因序列和氨基酸序列,对国内外分离株进行了系统进化分析。根据5′-UTR核苷酸序列,可将PRRSV美洲型毒株分为4个亚群,LX株和JX株分别属于经典美洲型和"高热病"变异型。根据Nsp2氨基酸序列分析了不同分离株的分子进化关系,表明依据Nsp2序列美洲型分离株可初步划分为5个亚群,JX株独立于其他毒株,独自处于一个分支。依据ORF5序列也可将美洲型分离株划分为5个亚群。本研究为探讨PRRSV的分子进化奠定了基础。     

Mutations in the melanocortin 1 receptor, β-defensin103 and agouti signaling protein genes, and their association with coat color phenotypes in Akita-inu dogs

To identify factors that control coat color in Akita-inu dogs, we sequenced all the exons of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), β-defensin103 (CBD103) and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) genes of dogs with four distinct coat colors, namely, brindle, sesame, red and white. Then we examined correlations among specific alleles and coat color. In the case of the MC1R gene, all white dogs were homozygous for a nonsense mutation, R306ter, while brindle, sesame, and red dogs had at least one R306 allele. In the case of the CBD103 gene, all brindle dogs were heterozygous for the G23del mutation (deletion of codon 23, encoding glycine), while all sesame and red dogs were homozygous for G23. In the case of the ASIP gene, all dogs, regardless of coat color, had at least one S82 H83 allele. A missense mutation in the ASIP gene, P87L, was identified for the first time in some Akita-inu dogs but was not associated with any specific coloration. Our results indicate that the 2 key mutations, R306ter in the MC1R gene and G23del in the CBD103 gene, are associated with the phenotypic discriminations among brindle, red/sesame, and white coats, while no mutation that might potentially be associated with the discrimination of a sesame coat from a red coat is present in the coding sequences of these three genes.     

伪狂犬病病毒冀A株TK基因的克隆及序列分析

为了分析比较伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)冀A株TK基因与GenBank中收录的国内外其他PRV毒株TK基因核苷酸及氨基酸序列的同源性,以伪狂犬病病毒冀A株的基因组为模板,PCR扩增了其胸腺激酶(TK)基因,并对其进行了克隆和测序.结果表明,TK基因的开放阅读框(ORF)和所比较的各株的核苷酸和氨基酸同源性都在99%以上.核苷酸序列中发现在起始密码子的上游有3段GC框样的序列,在终止密码子中发现多聚腺苷加尾信号AATAAA;在氨基酸序列中发现有疱疹病毒TK基因的保守序列R*Y*DG**G*GK*T-和-FDRHP*A***C*P*AR-.     

香猪对氧磷酯酶基因家族的克隆及序列分析

采用RT-PCR技术,从香猪的肝脏总RNA中克隆了3个对氧磷酯酶(paraoxonase,PON)基因:PON1、PON2、PON3,其cDNA分别长1164、1212和1080 bp,各包含1个完整的开放阅读框,分别编码355、354、354个氨基酸组成的前体,其N-端的15、23、23个氨基酸为信号肽。香猪PON1基因中有1个碱基变异,不改变编码的氨基酸,为无义突变;香猪PON2基因中有2个碱基改变,导致成熟肽发生Q234R、V269I替换;香猪PON3基因中有1个碱基变化,使成熟肽出现R127H替换。经三维结构预测分析,这3个氨基酸位点的变化将影响蛋白质内部区域的微环境,影响对氧磷酯酶的功能,可能与香猪的抗逆性有一定的联系。     

鸭疫里默氏菌铁依赖抑制子基因的克隆及序列分析

本研究根据鸭疫里默氏菌铁依赖抑制子(RaDtxR)基因序列特征设计特异性引物,利用PCR方法从已鉴定为2型鸭疫里默氏菌RA-FJ株的基因组DNA中扩增目的基因片段,胶回收PCR扩增片段,克隆到pMD18-T载体后进行序列测定.采用生物信息学软件对测序结果进行分析,结果表明所获得的RaDtxR基因编码完整的开放阅读框,全基因长度为654 bp,编码217个氨基酸.所编码的蛋白大小为24.82 ku,理论等电点为5.69,不稳定系数为38.45,属于稳定蛋白质类.将其与GenBank中已发表的RaDtxR基因序列进行核苷酸同源性比对分析,结果显示其与鸭疫里默氏菌疫苗株RA-CH-1株(GenBank登录号:CP003787)的核苷酸同源性为100.0%,与其他4株核苷酸同源性均为99.8%,仅在186位处存在无义突变.利用该基因对福建省农业科学院畜牧兽医研究所分离鉴定的鸭大肠杆菌、禽多杀性巴氏杆菌和沙门氏菌进行扩增,结果显示均未扩增到条带,对福建省农业科学院畜牧兽医研究所分离鉴定的1型、2型、3型、11型和13型鸭疫里默氏菌均可扩增出特异性目的条带,表明RaDtxR基因可作为鸭疫里默氏菌鉴别诊断的靶基因.试验结果表明,本研究成功克隆到鸭疫里默氏菌RaDtxR基因,为研究其功能奠定基础.     

Novel insertion mutation of ABCB1 gene in an ivermectin-sensitive Border Collie

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is encoded by the ABCB1 gene and acts as an efflux pump for xenobiotics. In the Border Collie, a nonsense mutation caused by a 4-base pair deletion in the ABCB1 gene is associated with a premature stop to P-gp synthesis. In this study, we examined the full-length coding sequence of the ABCB1 gene in an ivermectin-sensitive Border Collie that lacked the aforementioned deletion mutation. The sequence was compared to the corresponding sequences of a wild-type Beagle and seven ivermectin-tolerant family members of the Border Collie. When compared to the wild-type Beagle sequence, that of the ivermectin-sensitive Border Collie was found to have one insertion mutation and eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding sequence of the ABCB1 gene. While the eight SNPs were also found in the family members'' sequences, the insertion mutation was found only in the ivermectin-sensitive dog. These results suggest the possibility that the SNPs are species-specific features of the ABCB1 gene in Border Collies, and that the insertion mutation may be related to ivermectin intolerance.     

山羊痘病毒疫苗株ORF64～ORF67的分子特征

为构建胸苷激酶（Thymidine kinase，TK）基因缺失活载体疫苗，对山羊痘病毒（Goatpox virus，GPV）疫苗株（AV41）ORF64-ORF67进行了克隆和序列分析。结果表明：在全长3460bp的DNA序列中，包含4个完整的开放阅读框（Open reading flame，ORF）。ORF64核苷酸序列全长396bp，编码病毒膜蛋白；ORF65核苷酸序列全长444bp，ORF64和ORF65有44个碱基重叠。ORF66核苷酸序列全长534bp，编码胸苷激酶，具有保守的ATP结合位点和细胞中TK特征序列。ORF67核苷酸序列全长594bp，编码宿主范围相关蛋白。ORF64-ORF66在脊索动物痘病毒亚科中是完全保守的。与参考的国外GPV进行序列比较，ORF64～ORF67有一些差异，如突变和插入等。同源性分析显示：与羊痘病毒属比较，核苷酸和氨基酸同源性均较高（94．7％～100％）。我国的GPV不同毒株TK同源性为100％。与脊索动物痘病毒亚科中其他成员同源性差异较大（17．3％～65．2％）。将GPV AV41TK与鸡、小鼠和人类的TK氨基酸序列进行比较，分析GPV AV41TK进化关系表明，GPVTK基因在进化上可能起源于宿主细胞的TK1基因。本研究结果显示，在分子水平上我国GPV AV41与国外毒株存在差异，推测可能是GPV AV41疫苗株在致弱过程中发生一定程度的变异。     

Definition of the mutation responsible for maple syrup urine disease in Poll Shorthorns and genotyping Poll Shorthorns and Poll Herefords for maple syrup urine disease alleles.

The organisation of the E1alpha subunit of bovine branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase gene was established. c DNA was cloned from Poll Shorthorn x Poll Hereford calves affected with Maple Syrup Urine Disease to identify the mutation responsible for the disease in Poll Shorthorns. Clones containing the c DNA sequences inherited from the Poll Shorthorn sire of the affected calves were identified. Paternal clones were sequenced and a cytidine to thymidine transition was found at nucleotide 1380. The mutation is predicted to substitute leucine in place of a highly conserved proline at codon 372. A polymerase chain reaction procedure was developed for detection of the 1380C-->T mutation in genomic DNA. Three Poll Shorthorn parents of affected calves and three affected Poll Shorthorn x Poll Hereford calves were heterozygous and an affected Poll Shorthorn calf was homozygous for this mutation. An improved polymerase chain reaction procedure was also devised to genotype Poll Herefords for the 248C-->T mutation. The procedures will facilitate disease prevention programs and assist in differential diagnosis of conditions in new-born calves that present with a rapid onset of progressive neurological disease and are characterised histologically by 'status spongiosus'. Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive defect reported in humans (Danner and Elsas 1989), and in Poll Hereford (PH) and Poll Shorthorn (PS) calves (Harper et al 1986, Healy et al 1992). The clinical, biochemical and pathological manifestations of the disease are identical in the two breeds of cattle, and are characterised by the rapid onset of progressive neurological disease, leading to death within a few days of birth. The disease is caused by a deficiency of activity of the mitochondrial enzyme branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKADH). This deficiency leads to elevated concentrations, in blood and tissues, of branched chain alpha-keto acids and their precursors, the branched chain amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine. BCKADH consists of four subunits E1alpha, E1beta, E2 and E3 that are encoded by separate genes, and MSUD may result from deficiency of any of the subunits. In PH s, the disease in caused by premature termination of translation, of the E1alpha subunit, that is induced by a cytidine to thymidine transition exon 2 (248C-->T), that converts the glutamine codon -6 to a stop codon (Q-6ST; Zhang et al 1990). We have shown that MSUD -affected PSxPH calves are heterozygous at the PH locus, illustrating molecular heterogeneity exists for bovine MSUD (Healy and Dennis 1994a). The fact that these crossbred calves are affected, indicates the PS, like the PH mutation, resides in the E1alpha subunit.     

蒺藜苜蓿叶绿体密码子偏好性分析

本文对蒺藜苜蓿叶绿体基因组全序列密码子进行分析,筛选出50条CDS(coding DNA sequence)利用CodonW软件进行分析其密码子使用模式。结果显示,蒺藜苜蓿叶绿体基因组密码子第3位碱基GC含量为26.9%,即第3位密码子富含A和U,ENC值在37.11~51.91之间密码子偏好性较弱。相对同义密码子使用度分析显示RSCU值大于1的密码子有23个,其中以A和U为结尾20个。中性绘图分析显示GC₁₂与GC₃的相关系数为0.341,相关性不显著,回归系数为0.4843;单基因ENC比值多分布在-0.05~0.05,即大部分基因ENC值离ENC期望值较近;对应性分析,第一轴显示了12.50%的差异为主要影响因素,第一轴与ENC和GC₃的相关系数分别为0.091和-0.092,均相关不显著。综合这几项分析发现蒺藜苜蓿叶绿体基因组密码子偏好性主要受到突变的影响,但是并不是唯一的影响因素,其他因素对密码子偏好性也可能有一定的影响。最终通过高表达优越密码子方法确定得出UUA、UUG、CCU等23个密码子为最优密码子,为之后对外源基因进行改造,提高其在叶绿体中的表达效率奠定了基础。     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒的分子生物学研究进展

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征是目前养猪业中一种严重的病毒性传染病,引起猪严重繁殖障碍和呼吸道疾病。该病的病原体属于动脉炎病毒属,是一种不分节段的单股正链RNA病毒,含有8 个开放阅读框(ORFs),ORF1 编码非结构蛋白,ORF2~ORF7 编码结构蛋白。其中ORF7 编码的核衣壳(N)蛋白和ORF6编码的非糖基化基质(M)蛋白为优势结构蛋白。猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒基因组存在广泛的遗传变异性,M蛋白和N蛋白在所有的毒株之间相对比较保守,可作为血清学诊断的靶抗原。文章就猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒在分子生物学方面的研究情况做作一综述。     

PRRSV-SCQ株结构蛋白基因核酸序列分析及其氨基酸序列推导

以重庆分离病毒株PRRSV-SCQ构建的包含SCQ株ORF2、ORF3、ORF4、ORF5、ORF6和ORF7 6个结构蛋白基因的cDNA文库质粒pRSF2、pRSF3、pRSF4、pRSF5、pRSF6和pRSF7为基础材料,通过Sanger′s双脱氧末端终止法进行核酸序列分析。测序结果表明,文库质粒DNA中分别含有PRRSV-SCQ株中为结构蛋白编码的阅读框ORF2、ORF3、ORF4、ORF5、ORF6和ORF7的完全序列,其起始密码子均为ATG,终止密码子分别为TGA、TAG、TGA、TAG、TAA和TGA。阅读框ORF2的cDNA片段长度为721 bp,ORF3的cDNA片段长度为764 bp,ORF4的cDNA片段长度为547 bp,ORF5的cDNA片段长度为621 bp,ORF6的cDNA片段长度为509 bp,ORF7的cDNA片段长度为436 bp。推导的蛋白质序列中,GP2、GP3、GP4、GP5、M和N蛋白的氨基酸数量分别为258,254,178,200,174 aa和123aa。每条多肽链都以甲硫氨酸为起始氨基酸。     

Laboratory diagnosis of canine GM2-gangliosidosis using blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

In the present study, laboratory techniques were used to diagnose canine GM2-gangliosidosis using blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that can be collected noninvasively from living individuals. Lysosomal acid beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) was measured spectrofluorometrically using 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide and 4-methylumbelliferyl 7-(6-sulfo-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside) as substrates. Main isoenzymes A and B of Hex in leukocytes were also analyzed using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. GM2-ganglioside in CSF was detected and determined quantitatively by using thin-layer chromatography/enzyme-immunostaining method with anti-GM2-ganglioside antibody. In normal dogs, Hex activities could be determined in leukocytes, serum, and CSF and the total activities were markedly reduced in all the enzyme sources in a dog with Sandhoff disease. Electrophoresis of a leukocyte lysate from a normal dog showed that the Hex A and Hex B were not separated distinctively with formation of a broad band, whereas there were no bands in electrophoresis of a lysate from a dog with Sandhoff disease, showing a deficiency in the total enzyme activity. GM2-ganglioside could be detected and determined quantitatively in as little as 100 microl of canine CSE GM2-ganglioside in CSF in a dog with Sandhoff disease increased to 46 times the normal level. In conclusion, the methods in the present study are useful for diagnosis of canine GM2-gangliosidosis. These techniques enable definitive and early diagnosis of canine GM2-gangliosidosis even if tissues and organs cannot be obtained.