PLN-Associated Variant Genes

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Related Terms: Protein Losing Nephropathy

Type: DNA

Sample Types: Fresh EDTA blood or Cheek brushes/swabs

6.3 +/- 2.0 years

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Sample Processing

Cost: $100.00

Species and Breeds
Canine - Airedale Terrier
Canine - Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

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Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking and urination.

Median survival time at diagnosis is 2–3 months, but not correlated with age at diagnosis.

Complex (homozygous affected dogs are at increased risk with OR of 9.06)

Chronic glomerulonephritis/glomerulosclerosis, and less commonly endstage renal disease.

Explanation of Results
Genotype Phenotype Interpretation
2-2 (Homozygous for Disease-Associated Alleles) See Interpretation 2-2 (Homozygous Affected/Positive) dogs carry TWO COPIES of the variant alleles associated with PLN in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers and Airedale Terriers, and is at highest risk to develop PLN. (Variant alleles are altered versions of two genes that have DNA variants associated with PLN.) This dog has the highest risk for developing PLN. It should be monitored closely all its life for proteinuria (some people would test the urine 2-3 times per year beginning at age 4 years or so) in addition to the annual screening tests (blood and urine). Early intervention and treatment for proteinuria and any other problems such as allergies, infections, and inflammatory diseases may help these dogs live good quality lives for years. They may even live into their geriatric years, and if so, please contact us. It is possible that some dogs have modifier genes that protect them from getting sick, and this type of dog would help us find such a gene.
1-2 (Heterozygous) See Interpretation 1-2 (Heterozygous Carrier) dogs carry ONE COPY (of two) of the variant alleles associated with PLN in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers and Airedale Terriers. (Variant alleles are altered versions of two genes that have DNA variants associated with PLN.) This dog is at intermediate risk for developing PLN. It is at much lower risk than a dog with 2 copies, but it is at somewhat higher risk than a dog with no copies. It is possible that having other genetic problems such as allergies or environmental infections or inflammatory disease can provoke these dogs to get sick with PLN. It is also possible that some dogs have modifier genes that protect them, because many heterozygote dogs lived into their geriatric years. A heterozygote dog should be monitored carefully throughout its life for proteinuria, and have annual screening tests done (blood and urine).
1-1 (Homozygous for Normal Alleles) See Interpretation 1-1 (Homozygous Normal/Negative) dogs carry NO COPIES of the variant alleles associated with PLN in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers and Airedale Terriers. (Variant alleles are altered versions of two genes that have DNA variants associated with PLN.) This dog may be a good choice for breeding, particularly if it has other great qualities you want to perpetuate. However, realize that we don’t have genetic tests yet for allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, PLE, Addison’s, renal dysplasia, etc., so breed carefully away from these other problems. We recommend annual screening (blood and urine tests) for all Wheatens. If this dog shows proteinuria, please let us know because we may want to study these dogs more to find out why they have proteinuria despite not having the predisposing alleles that affect the structure of the slit diaphragm.