Dog gene offers hope for human disease cure

DOGS are proving yet again to be man’s best friend — this time in finding solutions to genetic diseases.

Sorting through the DNA of an Old English Sheepdog, an EU-funded research team from 12 countries including Ireland has discovered a new gene that is responsible for a serious respiratory disease.

The ailment, primary ciliary dyskinesis (PCD), affects one in 20,000 people and causes chronic respiratory infections. Identifying the gene should now make finding a cure easier.

The researchers benefited from a €12 million grant from the EU’s research fund dedicated to collecting and comparing DNA samples from purebred dogs that are healthy or affected by similar diseases as humans. The project is known as LUPA and no animals are hurt in the process.

Research Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, commenting on the breakthrough, said: “This shows that pet dogs are not only man’s best friend but also suffer from many of the same illnesses and can help us understand and treat those illnesses.

“I congratulate all those involved in this study. LUPA is an excellent example of innovative and ground- breaking health research that will benefit both humans and dogs and advance medical knowledge.”

The discovery identified mutations in gene CCDC39. It will allow affected families to get better genetic counselling and will improve the diagnosis of those suffering from the ailment.

Those involved with the LUPA project said this breakthrough was a very encouraging sign for work in other areas. Researchers hope to gain more insight into at least 18 human illnesses, including cancer, heart diseases, epilepsy and diabetes.

Purebred dogs are used in the studies because due to inbreeding they are much less genetically complex than humans. The number of markers needed to scan a dog’s entire genome is at least 10 times less than for human patients.

As a result, it can be a much easier way for researchers to gain initial insights into certain human disorders.

The effectiveness of individual treatment for complex diseases such as cancer can also be seen more easily in dogs, because as loved pets they often receive very sophisticated veterinary treatment.