Evaluation of canine heat-shock transcription factor 4 as a candidate for primary cataracts in English Cocker Spaniels and wire-haired Kromfohrlanders.

Canine heat-shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) was evaluated as a candidate for primary cataracts in English Cocker Spaniels (ECS) and wire-haired Kromfohrlanders (KFL). We sequenced exon 9 and its flanking regions of the HSF4 gene in ECS and KFL but were not able to detect a previously reported insertion mutation associated with primary cataracts in Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Boston Terriers. Another single nucleotide polymorphism (LOC489766:g.3243A>G) in intron 9 was identified and included in linkage and association tests together with two flanking microsatellites. Linkage and association tests with primary cataracts in ECS and KFL were not significant. Therefore, we could not verify that the mutation in exon 9 of canine HSF4 gene is causative for primary cataracts in ECS and wire-haired KFL.