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

Some paroxysmal movement disorders remain without an identified genetic cause.

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

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

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.

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.