Quick Summary
Click here for Price and Turnaround Time
Phenotype: Korat GM1 gangliosidosis causes progressive neurologic dysfunction, including tremors, ataxia, and dysmetria. Disease onset begins around 3 months of age and reaches terminal stage around 9-10 months, at which point blindness and epileptiform seizures are also observed.
Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Alleles: N = Normal, GM1k = Korat GM1 gangliosidosis
Breeds appropriate for testing: Korat, Siamese
Explanation of Results:
- Cats with N/N genotype will not have Korat GM1 gangliosidosis and cannot transmit this GM1 variant to their offspring.
- Cats with N/GM1k genotype will not have Korat GM1 gangliosidosis, but are carriers. They will transmit this GM1 variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two carriers are predicted to produce 25% kittens with Korat GM1 gangliosidosis.
- Cats with GM1k/GM1k genotype will have Korat GM1 gangliosidosis, a fatal condition.
$44 one test per animal
$66 this test + Korat GM2 per animal
Sample Collection:
Cat DNA tests are carried out using cells collected from your cat's cheeks and gums using household cotton swabs.
The cat DNA submission form with instructions, pricing, and a place to tape the cotton swabs can be printed from your home computer after signing up for a MyVGL account and placing an order. Test kits are not mailed.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
1.
Purchase regular household cotton swabs for cat DNA collection (the cotton swabs can be purchased at a pharmacy or drug store)
2.
Use both ends of the two cotton swabs for a total of four swabs.
3.
Collect the DNA sample by swabbing the cheek and gums of the cat.
4.
After swabbing the cheek and gums, tape the cotton swabs to the bar-coded submission form printed from your MyVGL account.
Gangliosidoses are degenerative, fatal neurological diseases caused by abnormal accumulation of lipids known as gangliosides in central and peripheral nervous systems, and nerve cells in particular. Cats affected with gangliosidosis have progressive neurologic dysfunction and premature death. Two forms of gangliosidosis affect Korat cats – GM1 and GM2. Both have a genetic basis and a recessive mode of inheritance. Two copies of the defective gene are needed to cause the disease. Both diseases cause similar progressive neurologic dysfunction, including tremors, ataxia, and dysmetria. Disease progression is more rapid in GM2.
Korat GM1 is caused by a mutation in exon 14 of the Beta-Galactosidase gene (GLB1). Disease onset begins around 3 months of age and reaches terminal stage around 9-10 months, at which point blindness and epileptiform seizures are also observed. The mutation has been found in the Siamese breed which was used in the development of the Korat breed.
Testing for GM1 and GM2 in Korat cats assists owners and breeders in identifying affected and carrier cats. Breeders can use these tests as a tool to avoid breeding carriers together which would produce 25% affected offspring.
