Dans les cellules végétales, les canaux et les transporteurs anioniques sont essentiels pour les fonctions clés telles que la nutrition, l'homéostasie ionique et la tolérance aux stress biotiques ou abiotiques. Chez Arabidopsis thaliana, les membres de la famille CLC (pour ChLoride Channel), situés sur le tonoplaste, sont requis pour l'homéostasie du nitrate (AtCLCa et AtCLCb) ou impliqués dans la tolérance au sel (AtCLCc).Dans mon travail de thèse, j’ai identifié et caractérisé un canal chlorure, AtCLCg, chez A. thaliana. L'étude de la protéine fusion AtCLCg::GFP a révélé que cette protéine est localisée sur le tonoplaste. Deux lignés mutants indépendants d’insertion ADN-T, atclcg ont été sélectionnés. Les études physiologiques sur ces deux lignés ont démontré qu’AtCLCg joue un rôle dans le passage de chlorure mais pas dans l'homéostasie du nitrate au travers du tonoplaste. En effet, aucune différence de contenu en nitrate (NO3-) racinaire et foliaire n’a été observée entre le sauvage et les mutants dans nos conditions. Par contre, les plantes mutantes présentent un phénotype par rapport au sauvage lorsqu'elles se développent sur milieu de croissance contenant 75 mM NaCl: (i) une diminution de 20% de la masse fraîche ; (ii) une diminution de 16% de la longueur de racines primaires et une réduction de 19% du nombre de racines secondaires ; (iii) une sur-accumulation de 21% et 26% de chlorure et sulfate foliaire, respectivement. Ces phénotypes sont abolis chez les lignés complétées avec 35S::AtCLCg. De plus, les mutants atclcg présentent un phénotype similaire à la présence de 75 mM KCl, mais aucune différence n'est détectée en réponse à 140 mM mannitol. Ce résultat suggère que le phénotype d'hypersensibilité des mutants atclcg dépend du chlorure et non du l'effet osmotique du stress salin.Sachant qu’AtCLCg et AtCLCc partagent un haut degré d'homologie, environ 75% d'identité au niveau des protéines, et que les deux sont impliquées dans la réponse au stress salin de la plante, nous avons généré le double mutant atclcc/atclcg. L’analyse phénotypique a montré que le double mutant ne présente pas un phénotype additif sur milieu de stress 75 mM NaCl. En parallèle, l'analyse de l'expression des gènes a montré qu’AtCLCg est réprimé dans le fond mutant atclcc, et inversement. Par ailleurs, l'analyse de l'expression de gène rapporteur démontre que PAtCLCg::GUS est fortement exprimé dans les cellules du mésophylle alors qu’une forte expression de PAtCLCc::GUS dans les cellules de garde et le pollen est observé. Ainsi, l’ensemble de ces résultats montrent que ces deux protéines AtCLCc et AtCLCg sont impliquées dans la réponse au stress salin de la plante, mais elles n’ont pas de fonction redondante. / In plant cells, anion channels and transporters are essential for key functions such as nutrition, ion homeostasis and, resistance to biotic or abiotic stresses. In Arabidopsis thaliana, members of the ChLoride Channel (CLC) family located on the tonoplast have been shown to be required for nitrate homeostasis (AtCLCa, AtCLCb) or involved in salt tolerance (AtCLCc). In this study, we identified and characterized the chloride channel AtCLCg in A. thaliana. Use of an AtCLCg:GFP fusion revealed the localization of this protein on the tonoplast. Studies on the disruption of the AtCLCg gene by a T-DNA insertion in two independent lines demonstrated that AtCLCg is involved in response to salt stress and not in nitrate homeostasis in our conditions. Although no difference in shoot and root NO3- content is observed, mutant plants show a phenotype compared to wild-type when they are grown on 75 mM NaCl: (i) a decrease by 20% of total plant fresh weight; (ii) a diminution by 16% of primary root length and a reduction by 19% of secondary root number; (iii) an over-accumulation of chloride and sulfate in shoots by 21% and 26% respectively. These phenotypes are abolished in complemented lines with 35S::AtCLCg. atclcg mutants show a similar phenotype in the presence of 75 mM KCl, but no difference is detected in response to 140 mM mannitol. This result suggests that the hypersensitivity phenotype of atclcg mutant depends on the ionic component and not on osmotic effect of salt stress.Knowing that AtCLCg and AtCLCc share a high degree of homology, approximately 75% of identity at protein level, and both are involved in response to salt stress, we generated a clcc/clcg double mutant. Phenotypic analysis showed that the two KO mutations do not have additive effect under salt stress of 75 mM NaCl. In parallel, gene expression analysis showed that AtCLCg is repressed in the clcc mutant background, and conversely. Expression analysis of reporter gene displayed a different pattern for PAtCLCg::GUS, strongly expressed in mesophyll cells, compared with a strong expression of PAtCLCc::GUS in guard cells and pollen. Altogether these results demonstrate that both AtCLCc and AtCLCg are involved in response to salt stress but they are not functionally redundant.

Clinical studies reported side effects of muscular spasms and muscle stiffness following the administration of clofibrate, a drug once used to treat hyperlipidaemia in patients. Experiments with clofibrate and its analogues in animal models showed it produced these myotonic symptoms in muscle by reducing the chloride conductance of the muscle membrane. The effects of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid, an analogue of clofibric acid, was assessed on the rat ClC-1 channel (rClC-1). Racemic 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid shifted the voltage dependence of rClC-1 activation to more depolarising potentials, a mechanism accounting for myotonic symptoms previously reported. Experiments with resolved enantiomers revealed that the effects recorded were due exclusively to S-(–) 2-(4- chlorophenoxy)propionic acid. The R-(+) enantiomer was ineffective at the concentrations tested. Further experiments with the compound at differing Cl- concentrations in the extracellular solution suggested that S-(–) 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid altered the gating of ClC-1 by decreasing the affinity of the binding site where Cl- normally acts to ‘gate’ the channel. Similarities in the effects reported for most dominant mutations in the CLCN1 gene that lead to myotonia congenita and 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid prompted experiments that introduced these point mutations in the human ClC-1 (hClC-1) gene to compare their mode of action to that of the drug. These mutations, F307S and A313T, predominantly altered the slow, or common, gate of the channel. Conversely, the effect of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid was predominantly on the fast gating process of hClC-1. A macroscopically similar effect therefore, can be produced by two different modes of action. Results suggested that both drug and mutations exert their action by affecting the transition of the channel from its closed to open state subsequent to Cl- binding. Investigation of the interaction between rClC-1 gating and a further 25 compounds structurally related to clofibric acid identified a number of compounds effective at shifting the open probability of fast gating to depolarising potentials. Fewer were identified that influence slow gating. Some compounds affected both gating processes, however, none were identified which influenced slow gating alone. Ability to displace the voltage dependent activation of the fast gate appeared to depend largely on the lipophilicity of the molecules tested, indicating the importance of hydrophobic interactions between drug and channel protein. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1474724 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2009

Haemonchus contortus is a parasitic nematode that is controlled by several nematocides which target ion channels. We have identified two H. contortus ion channel genes, Hcounc- 49B and C that encode two GABA-gated chloride channel subunits. Electrophysiological analysis shows that the Hco-UNC-49B subunit forms a functional homomeric channel in Xenopus laevis oocytes that produces a robust response to GABA and is highly sensitive to picrotoxin. In contrast, Hco-UNC-49C alone does not respond to GABA but can assemble with Hco-UNC-49B to form a heteromeric channel with an increased sensitivity to GABA and a lower sensitivity to picrotoxin. To investigate the subunit requirements for high agonist sensitivity, we generated cross-assembled channels by co-expressing the H. contortus subunits with UNC-49 subunits from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Cel-UNC-49). Co-expressing the Cel-UNC-49B with Hco- UNC-49C produced a heteromeric channel with a low sensitivity to GABA. In contrast, co-expressing Hco-UNC-49B with Cel-UNC-49C produced a heteromeric channel that was highly sensitive to GABA. These results suggest that the Hco-UNC-49B subunit is the key determinant for the high agonist sensitivity of heteromeric channels.

Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) slime mucin vesicles are released by holocrine secretion with membranes that remain intact until the vesicle contacts seawater and ruptures. This thesis is an investigation of the mechanisms that drive mucin vesicle rupture for mucin release. Using isolated mucin vesicles collected from the slime glands of the hagfish, I tested the effects of a variety of solutions and drugs on vesicle rupture. I found that there are two categories of mucin vesicle that differ in their sensitivity to calcium ions, and that calcium-dependent vesicle rupture was inhibited with anion channel inhibitors. I also found that vesicle swelling rate was reduced by the aquaporin inhibitor mercuric chloride. Together, these data suggest that mucin vesicle rupture is partially dependent on the movement of chloride ions from seawater through calcium-activated anion channels and the rapid influx of water through aquaporin-like proteins in the vesicle membrane. / NSERC Discovery Grant, NSERC CGSM scholarship, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

Cystic fibrosis is caused primarily by deletion of Phe508. An exciting discovery was that CFTR’s sister protein, the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) containing the equivalent mutation (ΔY490), could be repaired by a drug-rescue approach. Drug substrates showed specificity, and their mechanism involves direct binding to the transmembrane domains (TMDs) since arginine suppressor mutations were identified in TMDs that mimicked drug-rescue to promote maturation. We tested the possibility of rescuing CFTR processing mutants with a drug-rescue approach. 1) Arginine mutagenesis was performed on TM6, 8, and 12. 2) Correctors were tested for specificity. 3) Truncation mutants were used to map the VX-809 rescue site. Correctors 5a, 5c, and VX-809 were specific for CFTR. VX-809 appeared to specifically rescue CFTR by stabilizing TMD1. Therefore, the TMDs are potential targets to rescue CFTR. Rescue of P-gp and CFTR appeared to occur by different mechanisms since no arginine suppressor mutations were identified in CFTR.

Cystic fibrosis is caused primarily by deletion of Phe508. An exciting discovery was that CFTR’s sister protein, the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) containing the equivalent mutation (ΔY490), could be repaired by a drug-rescue approach. Drug substrates showed specificity, and their mechanism involves direct binding to the transmembrane domains (TMDs) since arginine suppressor mutations were identified in TMDs that mimicked drug-rescue to promote maturation. We tested the possibility of rescuing CFTR processing mutants with a drug-rescue approach. 1) Arginine mutagenesis was performed on TM6, 8, and 12. 2) Correctors were tested for specificity. 3) Truncation mutants were used to map the VX-809 rescue site. Correctors 5a, 5c, and VX-809 were specific for CFTR. VX-809 appeared to specifically rescue CFTR by stabilizing TMD1. Therefore, the TMDs are potential targets to rescue CFTR. Rescue of P-gp and CFTR appeared to occur by different mechanisms since no arginine suppressor mutations were identified in CFTR.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Guanylin and uroguanylin are heat-stable peptides isolated and identified from rat intestine and opossum urine, respectively. They control salt and water transport in the kidney and intestine mediated by cGMP. In this study we tried to show the effects of the guanylin-like peptides on EEG-parameters, as well to investigate possible cerebral action mechanisms in the central nervous system. The experiments were performed using anaesthetized male Wistar rats that were placed on the stereotaxic frame for surgery to implant a guide cannula towards to cisterna magna. After 48 hours, the animals were divided in three groups: guanylin (2&#956;g/&#956;l/min) and uroguanylin (2&#956;g/&#956;l/min and 6&#956;g/&#956;l/min), and recived intracisternal infusion by a infusion pump. Another two groups were performed using uroguanylin (2&#956;g/&#956;l/min) and a pretreatment of two Cl&#713; blockers: niflumic acid and nedocromil sodium. EEG recordings were made throughout the experimental procedure, using a software for spectral activity study and absolute amplitude, starting with the control recording segment, followed by drug infusion segment and finishing with after infusion segment. Guanylin peptide in the rat brain increased the frontal waves amplitude and induced spikes. Uroguanylin induced the same changes more intensively (p<0.05). Niflumic acid didnât promoted changes, but nedocromil seemed to inhibit the spikes (p<0.05). We propose that guanylin and uroguanilyn EEG effects were caused by Cl&#713; channels envolvement. / Os peptÃdeos termo-estÃveis guanilina e uroguanilina foram inicialmente isolados e identificados do intestino de rato e de urina de opossum: suas propriedades sÃo atribuÃdas ao controle do transporte de sal e Ãgua no rim e intestino, mediado pelo GMPc. O presente estudo propÃe-se a avaliar a atividade neurofisiolÃgica dos peptÃdeos do tipo guanilina, atravÃs da anÃlise do registro eletroencefÃlico, bem como investigar os mecanismos de aÃÃo responsÃveis pela possÃvel aÃÃo sobre o sistema nervoso central. Para tanto, grupos de ratos Wistar machos anestesiados foram submetidos a uma cirurgia para a colocaÃÃo de uma cÃnula na cisterna magna. Decorridas 48 horas da cirurgia, estes animais foram novamente anestesiados, sendo infundidas atravÃs de uma bomba de infusÃo: guanilina (2&#956;g/&#956;l/min) e uroguanilina (2&#956;g/&#956;l/mim e 6&#956;g/&#956;l/min), em trÃs grupos distintos. Posteriormente, outros dois grupos de animais foram submetidos ao mesmo protocolo experimental, com a uroguanilina, porÃm adicionalmente, receberam um prÃ-tratamento (antes da infusÃo) de duas substÃncias bloqueadoras de canais de Cl&#713;: o Ãcido niflÃmico e o nedocromil sÃdico. Durante a infusÃo intracisternal dos peptÃdeos, houve o registro do EEG dos diversos espectros de ondas, sendo gravados trÃs momentos: antes da infusÃo ( controle), durante e apÃs a infusÃo. O peptÃdeo guanilina quando infundido em cÃrebro de ratos levou a alteraÃÃes na amplitude do traÃado e o surgimento de pontas no EEG. A uroguanilina induziu as mesmas alteraÃÃes, contudo houve uma maior intensidade (p<0.05). O prÃ-tratamento com Ãcido niflÃmico nÃo influiu nos resultados da infusÃo de uroguanilina, porÃm o nedocromil inibiu o surgimento de pontas (p<0.05). Sugerimos atravÃs deste estudo, que os peptÃdeos guanilina e uroguanilina produzem alteraÃÃes eletroencefalogrÃficas, atuando sobre o cÃrebro por mecanismos de aÃÃo envolvendo canais de Cl&#713;.

La mucoviscidose (CF pour Cystic Fibrosis) est la conséquence de la mutation du gène codant pour le canal chlorure CFTR. Une des stratégies thérapeutiques proposées pour compenser la déficience de CFTR serait de stimuler une voie alternative à CFTR de sécrétion d'ions chlorures. En 2008, le canal ANO1 a été identifié comme CaCC (canal chlorure activé par le calcium) et alors proposé comme cible thérapeutique dans le contexte de la mucoviscidose. Des travaux précédents de notre laboratoire ont montré que l'activité et l'expression d'ANO1 étaient diminuées en contexte CF par rapport au contexte non-CF. Les mécanismes de régulation d'ANO1 n'étant pas connus, les objectifs principaux de ce travail étaient d'étudier la régulation d'ANO1 par les microARN. Nous avons donc, dans un premier temps, identifié un microARN, miR-9 qui est surexprimé dans les cellules CF et qui régule directement ANO1. Nous avons montré que la régulation d’ANO1 par miR-9 entraîne une diminution d’expression et d’activité d’ANO1 ainsi que de la vitesse de migration des cellules. Dans le contexte de la mucoviscidose, il nous a semblé plus intéressant de pouvoir augmenter l’expression d’ANO1 dans le but d’augmenter les efflux chlorures, nous avons donc fait synthétiser une molécule qui empêche la fixation de miR-9 à ANO1, un TSB (Target Site Blocker) ANO1. Nous avons alors démontré que l’utilisation de notre TSB ANO1 permettait d’augmenter l’expression d’ANO1, son activité chlorure et la migration cellulaire dans différents modèles in vitro et in vivo. L’ensemble de ses résultats suggère que notre TSB ANO1 pourrait être une cible thérapeutique intéressante chez les patients atteints de mucoviscidose. / Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the consequence of the mutation of the chloride channel CFTR. One of the therapeutic strategy proposed in CF to compensate the CFTR deficiency is to stimulate others chlorides channels. In 2008, the channel ANO1 was identified as CaCC (calcium-activated chloride channel) and then proposed as a therapeutic target in CF. Previous works from our lab have shown that ANO1 activity and expression are reduced in the CF context compared to non CF. Mechanisms of ANO1 regulation being unknown, the objectives of this work were to study ANO1 regulation by microRNA. First, we identified a microRNA, miR-9, which is overexpressed in CF cells and directly regulates ANO1. We have then shown that ANO1 regulation by miR-9 induces decreases of ANO1 expression and activity, and migration rate of cells. In the context of CF, it seems more interesting to increase ANO1 expression in order to increase the chloride efflux, we thus designed a target site blocker (TSB ANO1) which prevents miR-9 fixation on ANO1. In different models in vitro and in vivo, we demonstrated that our TSB ANO1 increases ANO1 expression, ANO1 activity and migration rate of cells. These results suggest that ANO1 TSB could be considered as an interesting therapeutic target in CF.

Les niveaux de chlorure sont rigoureusement régulés par des canaux de chlorure tels que le régulateur transmembranaire de mucoviscidose (CFTR), la famille de canaux CLC ou les canaux de chlorure activés par le calcium. Un dérèglement des concentrations de chlorure ou du transport de ce dernier a été rapportée pour être lié à plusieurs maladies telles que la mucoviscidose, la myotonie, l'épilepsie, l'hyperekplexie ou la surdité. Toutes ces maladies appartiennent à la famille des pathologies qui présentent un déficit de la fonction lysosomale et qui sont caractérisées par un défaut du processus autophagique.Les cellules épithéliales pulmonaires des malades atteints de mucoviscidose montrent également un défaut d’autophagie. L’association de deux produits : la cysteamine et l’epigallocathecin gallate (EGCG) permet de restaurer la fonction autophagique de ces cellules et améliore les symptômes de la maladie. Nous avons tenté d'améliorer cette combinaison en criblant des inducteurs de l'autophagie pour leur capacité d’interaction avec la cystéamine et pour une meilleure efficacité de traitement. Nous avons ainsi trouvé que l'amiodarone, de manière similaire à l'EGCG, était capable d'engager une interaction coopérative avec la cystéamine pour stimuler l'autophagie dans les lignées cellulaires. De plus, l'amiodarone s’est révélé relativement efficace pour restaurer l'expression d’une protéine Del 508 CFTR mature et fonctionnelle dans les cellules épithéliales.Dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse, nous avons exploré les relations entre la modulation des concentrations intracellulaires des ions chlorure et l'autophagie. Trois approches complémentaires ont été utilisées (i) l’appauvrissement / réduction du chlorure dans le milieu de culture des cellulaires (ii) la réduction de l'expression du gène CLCN7 codant pour le seul transporteur de chlorure connu pour être présent dans les lysosomes et (iii) l’utilisation de transporteurs synthétique des ions chlorure. Nous avons montré que la modulation de la concentration des ions Cl- régulait l'autophagie. Cela a été observé lorsque nous avons déplété le chlorure du milieu de culture cellulaire ou lorsque nous avons aboli le gradient de chlorure en utilisant des transporteurs de chlorure synthétique (SCTs). Nous avons également montré que les STCs modifiaient la structure et la fonction des mitochondries. De plus, nous avons montré que les antioxydants restauraient la fonction mitochondriale et inhibaient la stimulation de l'autophagie, ce qui permet de voir sous un jour nouveau le rôle que le chlorure pourrait jouer dans la signalisation de différentes voies cellulaire de réponse au stress. / Chloride levels are stringently regulated by chloride channels such as cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), the CLC family of channels or calcium activated chloride channels. A dysregulation of chloride concentrations or transport has been reported to be linked to several diseases including cystic fibrosis (CF), myotonia, epilepsy, hyperekplexia or deafness. All these diseases belong to the family of lysosomal storage pathologies which are characterized by a defect in the autophagic process.The pulmonary epithelial cells of CF patients show a defect of autophagy. The combination of two products: cysteamine and epigallocathecin gallate (EGCG) has been shown to restore the autophagic function of these cells and to improve the symptoms of the disease. We have tried to enhance this combination by screening inducers of autophagy for their ability to interact with cysteamine and for better treatment efficacy. We found that amiodarone, similarly to EGCG, was able to engage in a cooperative interaction with cysteamine to stimulate autophagy in cell lines. In addition, amiodarone has been found to be relatively effective in restoring expression of a mature and functional Del F508 CFTR protein in epithelial cells.In the second part of this thesis, we explored the relationships between the modulation of intracellular chloride concentration and autophagy. Three complementary approaches were used (i) the depletion/reduction of chloride in the cell culture medium (ii) the reduction of the expression of the CLCN7 gene encoding the only chloride transporter known to be present in lysosomes and (iii) the use of synthetic carriers of chloride ions. We have shown that the modulation of the concentration of Cl- modulates autophagy. This was observed when we depleted chloride from the cell culture medium or when we abolished the chloride gradient using Synthetic Chloride Transporters (SCTs). We have also shown that SCTs modify the structure and function of mitochondria. In addition, we have shown that anti-oxidants restore mitochondrial function and inhibit the stimulation of autophagy, allowing us to see in a new light the role that chloride could play in different stress response pathways.

Orientador: Alexandre Secorun Borges / Resumo: A miotonia hereditária (MH) é uma enfermidade muscular hereditária não distrófica. Manifesta-se pela presença de hipertrofia muscular e miotonia que melhora com o exercício, fenômeno conhecido como “warm-up”. As alterações clínicas estão associadas a mutações no gene CLCN1, codificador do canal seletivo para o íon cloreto da musculatura esquelética. A enfermidade já foi descrita em diversas espécies e algumas raças caninas; no entanto, esta é primeira descrição de MH em cães da raça American Bulldog. Quarenta e quatro cães da raça American Bulldog foram empregados na pesquisa, constituindo três grupos de estudo. O primeiro grupo, compreendeu um cão, da raça American Bulldog, com cinco meses de idade, que foi avaliado sob aspectos clínicos, eletromiográficos e moleculares. Os sinais de hipertrofia muscular, miotonia e fenômeno “warm-up” foram evidentes. Durante o exame de eletromiografia (EMG) foram verificadas a presença de descargas miotônicas. Foi verificada uma mutação “frameshift”, NM_001003124.2: c.436_437insCTCT, no gene CLCN1. A presença do transcrito alternativo NC_006598.3 (NM_001003124.2): c.774_775ins [6442_6520] foi observada no RNAm do cão miotônico. O segundo grupo constituiu-se de dez cães geneticamente relacionados com o cão do primeiro grupo. Por fim, o terceiro grupo compreendeu 33 cães não relacionados entre si e com os cães de outros grupos. Heterozigotos, cães wildtype e outro cão afetado para a mutação NM_001003124.2: c.436_437insCTCT foram observados de... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Hereditary Myotonia (HM) is an inherited non-dystrophic muscle disease. It is manifested by the muscular hypertrophy and myotonia that improves with exercise, a phenomenon known as "warm-up". Clinical features are associated with mutations in the CLCN1 gene, that encodes the selective channel for the skeletal muscle chloride ion. The HM has been described in several species and some dog breeds; however, this is the first report of HM in American Bulldog. The objective of this research was to describe clinical abnormalities, electromyographic and molecular characterization of hereditary myotonia in dog of this breed. 44 American Bulldog were used in the research, constituting 3 study groups. The first group included an American Bulldog, 5 months old, was evaluated under clinical, electromyographic and molecular aspects. Signs of muscle hypertrophy, myotonia, and warm-up were present. During the electromyography exam (EMG) myotonic discharges were observed. A frameshift mutation, NM_001003124.2: c.436_437insCTCT, was verified in the CLCN1 gene. The presence of an alternative transcript NC_006598.3 (NM_001003124.2): c.774_775ins [6442_6520] was observed in the myotonic dog mRNA. The second group consisted of ten dogs genetically related to the dog of the first group. Finally, the third group included 33 unrelated dogs and dogs from other groups. Heterozygotes, wildtype dogs and another dog affected by mutation NM_001003124.2: c.436_437insCTCT were observed among the ten genetica... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre