A TNR Frameshift Variant in Weimaraner Dogs with an Exercise-Induced Paroxysmal Movement Disorder

Background: Some paroxysmal movement disorders remain without an identified genetic cause.

Objectives: The aim was to identify the causal genetic variant for a paroxysmal dystonia-ataxia syndrome in Weimaraner dogs.

Methods: Clinical and diagnostic investigations were performed. Whole genome sequencing of one affected dog was used to identify private homozygous variants against 921 control genomes.

Results: Four Weimaraners were presented for episodes of abnormal gait. Results of examinations and diagnostic investigations were unremarkable. Whole genome sequencing revealed a private frameshift variant in the TNR (tenascin-R) gene in an affected dog, XM_038542431.1:c.831dupC, which is predicted to truncate more than 75% of the open read frame. Genotypes in a cohort of 4 affected and 70 unaffected Weimaraners showed perfect association with the disease phenotype.

Conclusions: We report the association of a TNR variant with a paroxysmal dystonia-ataxia syndrome in Weimaraners. It might be relevant to include sequencing of this gene in diagnosing humans with unexplained paroxysmal movement disorders. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.