Genetics Selection Evolution (Mar 2003)

A mutation in the <it>LAMC2 </it>gene causes the Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (H-JEB) in two French draft horse breeds

  • Guérin Gérard,
  • Taourit Sead,
  • Chaffaux Stéphane,
  • Milenkovic Dragan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1297-9686-35-2-249
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 2
pp. 249 – 256

Abstract

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Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases characterised by skin blistering and fragility. In humans, one of the most severe forms of EB known as Herlitz-junctional EB (H-JEB), is caused by mutations in the laminin 5 genes. EB has been described in several species, like cattle, sheep, dogs, cats and horses where the mutation, a cytosine insertion in exon 10 of the LAMC2 gene, was very recently identified in Belgian horses as the mutation responsible for JEB. In this study, the same mutation was found to be totally associated with the JEB phenotype in two French draft horse breeds, Trait Breton and Trait Comtois. This result provides breeders a molecular test to better manage their breeding strategies by genetic counselling.

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