Polymorphisms within the Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase gene (TERT) in four breeds of dogs selected for difference in lifespan and cancer susceptibility

Abstract

BackgroundEnzymatic activity of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) is important in maintaining the telomere length and has been implicated in cancer and aging related pathology. Since cancer susceptibility as well as longevity of dogs vary between breeds, this study involved sequencing the entire TERT gene of Canis familiaris from DNA samples obtained from forty dogs, with ten dogs each of four breeds: Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Irish Wolfhound, and Newfoundland, each with different life expectancies and susceptibility to cancer.ResultsWe compared the sequences of all forty individuals amongst one another and with the published sequence of canine TERT, and analyzed relationships between members of the same or different breeds. Two separate phylogenetic trees were generated and analyzed from these individuals. Polymorphisms were found most frequently in intronic regions of the gene, although exonic polymorphisms also were observed. In many locations genotypes were observed that were either homozygous for the reference sequence or heterozygous, but the variant homozygous genotype was not observed.ConclusionsWe propose that these homozygous variants are likely to have adverse effects in dogs. It was also found that the polymorphisms did not segregate by breed. Because the four breeds chosen come from geographically and physiologically distinct backgrounds, it can be inferred that the polymorphic diversification of TERT preceded breed derivation.

The beneficial role of anti-inflammatory dietary ingredients in attenuating markers of chronic low-grade inflammation in aging

“…In canines, susceptibility to cancer is thought to vary between breeds [57]. Regardless of the type of cancer, an evaluation of the immunological status of tumor-bearing dogs showed that such tumor-bearing dogs had higher numbers of leukocytes than normal dogs [58].…”

Telomerase activity in ecological studies: What are its consequences for individual physiology and is there evidence for effects and trade‐offs in wild populations

“…In addition, the study of telomerase must be extended to a broader range of species in non-models animals like birds, fish, mammals or insects, where descriptive studies on change in telomerase activity with age or tissue have already paved our way (e.g. (Hartmann et al, 2009;Jemielity et al, 2007;Koubová et al, 2019;McAloney, Silverstein, Modiano, & Bagchi, 2014;O'Hare & Delany, 2005;Wang, McAllan, & He, 2011). Adding original data on, more particularly, the pleiotropic action of canonical and non-canonical activities of telomerase, and exploring how they may have co-evolved with particular life-history traits form our next scientific objective.…”

“…Of course, heterozygotes of mutated genes ( TERT −/+ or TERC −/+) will be more valuable as they will take us beyond the on/off (i.e., sterile/fertile) phenotypes. In addition, the study of telomerase must be extended to a broader range of species in non‐models animals such as birds, fish, mammals or insects, where descriptive studies on change in TA with age or tissue have already paved our way (e.g., Hartmann et al, 2009 ; Jemielity et al, 2007 ; Koubová et al, 2019 ; McAloney et al, 2014 ; O'Hare & Delany, 2005 ; Wang et al, 2011 ). Measurement of TA in such studies should be a natural next step via the use of already available and easily adaptable methods (e.g., TRAP assays, Mensà et al, 2019 ).…”

Optimization of the Dna Typing Technique for Tert and Mt2a Candidate Genes for Marker-Associated Selection of Pigs

“…Також встановлено, що можливе успадкування більш довгих теломер завдяки подовженню теломер у сперматозоїдів, що у свою чергу уповільнить процеси старіння [11], а отже може відобразитись на продуктивній придатності тварин. Крім, того зміни у регуляції та у самому гені TERT призводять до більшої схильності до захворювань [12]…”