Isolation and characterization of the canine NKX2-5 gene

We report the first isolation and characterization of the canine NKX2-5 gene. This canine homologue has high homology in genomic structure and functional domains to other NKX2-5 across a number of different species. Given the critical role of NKX2-5 in cardiac morphogenesis as seen in human and mouse studies of congenital heart defects, the availability of the canine NKX2-5 provides a good starting point for identifying mutations that may be responsible for certain forms of canine congenital heart defects.