浦东白猪毛色的遗传基础研究——KIT基因变异的检测

浦东白猪是国内唯一一个毛色全白的地方猪种。但是对其毛色全白的分子遗传基础,迄今一直无人研究。为此,本研究通过聚合酶链式反应-单链构象多态性分析（PCR—SSCP）以及对KIT基因内含子17和内含子18的测序探讨了浦东白猪白毛色的遗传控制体系与长白猪和大白猪白毛色控制体系的异同。结果证明,浦东白猪与长白猪和大白猪一样。其白毛色均为KIT基因内含子17发生了G—A的突变,内含子18的序列中存在AGTT的缺失造成的。     

应用MGB荧光探针技术确定猪KIT基因拷贝重复数

旨在建立一种简便、快速检测猪KIT基因拷贝重复数(CNVs)的方法并应用于未知样品的检测。在KIT外显子2中设计TaqMan-MGB探针和引物,建立荧光实时定量PCR检测KIT基因CNVs的方法。结果表明,TaqMan-MGB探针扩增KIT基因目的片段,不同DNA梯度浓度Ct值差异极显著(P<0.001),变异系数低(0.12%～0.26%);KIT与内标基因ESR的扩增效率相差只有2.4%;采用聚类分析推测了待测的50枚样品KIT的CNVs分别归属于2、3、4、5、6个拷贝。本研究建立的TaqMan-MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR检测KIT基因CNVs的方法,具有简便、快速、特异性和稳定性好的特点,适合于普通实验室应用。     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the KIT and KITLG genes in pigs

Here, we report the variability in the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor and its ligand KITLG genes by determining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 384 individuals including 11 pig breeds, two synthetic-line cross pigs, two cross breeds, and one Japanese wild boar. SNPs and indels within the coding sequence regions of KITLG and KIT and their 5'-flanking regions were detected by aligning sequences from eight pigs, and subsequently the SNPs were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF-MS). Principal component analysis using allele frequencies in the SNP locus showed a distant relationship between Asian and Euro-American pig groups, except for Berkshire and Tokyo X breeds. These breeds were located within the mid-portion of the distribution in the first principal component. The Hampshire breed was distant from the other pig groups on the axis of the second principal component. Haplotype frequencies that were deduced using non-synonymous substitutions of the KIT gene revealed the uniqueness of Landrace, Large White, Middle White, and three-way cross pigs (LWD) and of the Hampshire breed. On the other hand, the haplotypes of KITLG and KIT detected in the Berkshire breed were prevalent in Asian pig groups. This tendency is different from that observed in other Euro-American pig breeds.     

Masitinib is safe and effective for the treatment of canine mast cell tumors

Background: Activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is associated with the development of canine mast cell tumors (MCT). Hypothesis/Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of masitinib, a potent and selective inhibitor of KIT, in the treatment of canine MCT. Animals: Two hundred and two client‐owned dogs with nonmetastatic recurrent or nonresectable grade II or III MCT. Methods: Double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled phase III clinical trial. Dogs were administered masitinib (12.5 mg/kg/d PO) or a placebo. Time‐to‐tumor progression (TTP), overall survival, objective response at 6 months, and toxicity were assessed. Resulsts: Masitinib increased overall TTP compared with placebo from 75 to 118 days (P= .038). This effect was more pronounced when masitinib was used as first‐line therapy, with an increase in the median TTP from 75 to 253 days (P= .001) and regardless of whether the tumors expressed mutant (83 versus not reached [P= .009]) or wild‐type KIT (66 versus 253 [P= .008]). Masitinib was generally well tolerated, with mild (grade I) or moderate (grade II) diarrhea or vomiting as the most common adverse events. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Masitinib is safe and effective at delaying tumor progression in dogs presenting with recurrent or nonresectable grade II or III nonmetastatic MCT.     

Expression of receptor tyrosine kinase targets PDGFR‐β, VEGFR2 and KIT in canine transitional cell carcinoma

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common neoplasia of the canine urinary tract. It tends to be locally invasive and has a moderate metastatic rate. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play an important role in promoting cell growth, differentiation and regulation of cell function. RTK inhibitor toceranib phosphate has been used anecdotally to treat TCC. The goal of this study was to evaluate archived normal urinary bladder, TCC and cystitis bladder samples for expression of toceranib phosphate targets: VEGFR2, PDGFR‐β and stem cell factor receptor (KIT). A significant number of TCC samples expressed PDGFR‐β compared with cystitis and normal bladder samples (P<.0001). While all the tumour samples stained positively for VEGFR2, there was no significant difference between tumour, cystitis and normal bladder samples in intensity scores or staining distribution. Minimal positive staining for KIT was noted in the tumour samples. Based on this proof of target study, further investigation is warranted to determine clinical response of TCC to toceranib phosphate.     

Comparative oncology: The paradigmatic example of canine and human mast cell neoplasms

In humans, advanced mast cell (MC) neoplasms are rare malignancies with a poor prognosis. Only a few preclinical models are available, and current treatment options are limited. In dogs, MC neoplasms are the most frequent malignant skin tumours. Unlike low‐grade MC neoplasms, high‐grade MC disorders usually have a poor prognosis with short survival. In both species, neoplastic MCs display activating KIT mutations, which are considered to contribute to disease evolution. Therefore, tyrosine kinase inhibitors against KIT have been developed. Unfortunately, clinical responses are unpredictable and often transient, which remains a clinical challenge in both species. Therefore, current efforts focus on the development of new improved treatment strategies. The field of comparative oncology may assist in these efforts and accelerate human and canine research regarding diagnosis, prognostication, and novel therapies. In this article, we review the current status of comparative oncology approaches and perspectives in the field of MC neoplasms.     

Cutaneous mastocytosis with a mutation in the juxtamembrane domain of c-kit in a young laboratory beagle dog

Cutaneous mastocytosis, which resembles a subset of urticaria pigmentosa in humans, is rare in dogs. We herein report unrepresentative neoplastic proliferation of mast cells in ventral skin removed routinely from a nine-month-old female laboratory beagle dog at necropsy. A histological examination revealed diffuse extensive cellular infiltration from the superficial to deep dermis in most parts of the skin around the fourth and fifth mammary papilla without nodule formation. Tumor cells were fairly monomorphic, well-differentiated mast cells with round nuclei of small distinct nucleoli and moderate to abundant, slightly eosinophilic and granular cytoplasm. A perivascular arrangement of mast cells was noted at the margin of the lesions. Infiltration of eosinophils and degeneration of collagen were not observed in the dermis. Cutaneous mastocytosis was diagnosed based on these features. A sequence analysis of lesions revealed the deletion of Gln₅₅₅ to Ile₅₇₀ within the juxtamembrane domain of c-kit (exon 11).     

军牧1号白猪、杜洛克猪、西藏小型猪和大白猪KIT毛色基因的基因型分析

毛色是猪的一个重要形态特征,KIT基因是控制猪毛色的主效基因。本研究利用PCR和PCR-SSCP方法,分析了军牧1号白猪、杜洛克猪、西藏小型猪和大白猪的KIT基因拷贝数和第17、18内含子突变位点的基因型,结果显示:军牧1号白猪和大白猪均为多拷贝,而西藏小型猪和杜洛克猪的KIT基因则为单拷贝;军牧1号白猪和大白猪的第17、18内含子突变位点上均检测到突变,而杜洛克猪和西藏小型猪均没有检测到突变。