Korat GM1 Gangliosidosis

Quick Summary

Korat GM1 gangliosidosis causes progressive neurologic dysfunction and premature death in Korat cats.

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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.

Turnaround Time
At least 15 business days; may be delayed beyond 15 business days if sample requires additional testing, or a new sample is requested.
Price

$44 one test per animal
$66 this test + Korat GM2 per animal

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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.

Person looking at different brands of cotton swabs in a storePurchase regular household cotton swabs for cat DNA collection (the cotton swabs can be purchased at a pharmacy or drug store)

 

2.

Label indicating both ends of the two cotton swabsUse both ends of the two cotton swabs for a total of four swabs.

 

3.

Demonstration of swabbing the inner cheek of a cat with a cotton swabCollect the DNA sample by swabbing the cheek and gums of the cat.

 

4.

Cotton swabs taped to bar-coded submission form for VGLAfter swabbing the cheek and gums, tape the cotton swabs to the bar-coded submission form printed from your MyVGL account.

Additional Details

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.

 

Note: This test is specific for the single base substitution in the GLB1 gene that causes GM1 in Korat and Siamese cats. It will not detect other gangliosidosis mutations known to exist in other breeds of cats.
Type of Sample
Cotton Swab

Species

Cat

Breed

Korat Siamese
Type of Test
Health
Results Reported As
Test Result GM1 Gangliosidosis Status
N/N Normal. Cat does not have GM1 Korat mutation.
N/GM1k Carrier. Cat has one copy of GM1 Korat mutation. Breedings between carriers are expected to produce 25% affected kittens.
GM1k /GM1k Affected.
References

Muldoon, L.L., Neuwelt, E.A. , Pagel, M.A., & Weiss, D.L. (1994). Characterization of the molecular defect in a feline model for type II GM2-gangliosidosis (Sandhoff Disease). American Journal of Pathology, 144, 1109-1118.

Baker, H.J., Smith, B.F., Martin, D.R., & Foureman, P. (2001). Molecular Diagnosis of Gangliosidoses: A model for elimination of inherited diseases in pure breeds. Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine 4, J.R. August (ed.). Saunders WB, Philadelphia. pp 615-620.

Martin, D.R., Rigat, B.A., & Foureman, P. (2008). Molecular consequences of the pathogenic mutation in feline GM1 gangliosidosis. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 94, 212-221. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2008.02.004

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