Partial sequencing of ESR1 and CDK5RAP2 genes in dogs with mammary tumours

Canine mammary tumours (CMT) are among the most common canine cancer types in female dogs. Dogs provide an adaptable model system for human breast cancer studies. It is important to identify the underlying genetic basis to improve knowledge of pathways related to cancer pathogenesis in both species. In this study, we investigated CMT associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in target regions of ESR1 and CDK5RAP2 genes. Partial sequencing of two genes in 25 cases with mammary tumours and 10 dogs with healthy mammary glands was performed. Two previously reported SNPs in ESR1 gene and one previously reported SNP and two novel SNPs were genotyped downstream CDK5RAP2 gene. According to the association analysis performed in cases and controls, no statistically significant association was found between these SNPs and CMTs. Comparison of the results from other studies revealed the genetic heterogeneity of ESR1 and CDK5RAP2 between different dog breeds. Larger datasets of different breeds should be analyzed in further studies to identify the possible effects of the two genes in mammary tumour development.