HUMAN PERFORMANCE GENE IN THE HORSE

[Shammy Davis]

http://www.aaabg.org/proceedings18/files/ellis540.pdf

[Pan Zareta]

Did I miss something, or is the specific locus of the equine ACE gene omitted from the article? Probably means they're going to patent it. (In the human, the ACE gene is on chromosome 17.)

[Shammy Davis]

Pan Zareta posted:

Did I miss something

I posted it because it looked interesting and I hoped someone would explain it.

[Pan Zareta]

Pan Zareta posted:

Did I miss something

I posted it because it looked interesting and I hoped someone would explain it.

It is interesting, and thank you for posting the link. ACE = Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. It promotes vasoconstriction and extracellular fluid retention. In the human the gene controlling ACE production is on chrom. 17, and multiple haplotypes ("versions" of the gene) have been identified. One particular haplotype is associated with lower levels of circulating ACE and increased stamina. Per the linked report, of the nine ACE haplotypes identified in the domestic horse one (labelled #6 in the article, found in at least one UK TB and three other breeds/types) is associated with with lower levels of circulating ACE. Whether it also correlates with greater stamina in the equine has yet to be determined.

[Shammy Davis]

Ah. That is interesting. So if say genetic testing were able to identify this in the TB we could determine the stamina of a individual racehorse?

[Pan Zareta]

The haplotype associated with lower levels of circulating ACE was found in at least one TB included in the study sample, i.e. genetic testing can already identify it. But I doubt that it will ever be useful for quanitifying individual racehorse stamina in any precise or meaningful way. The most conclusive statement that can be made of that ACE gene haplotype in humans is that it's found in greater % among distance runners than in the general population.

[Dave C]

If it is doubtful that it can be used for quantifying stamina in racehorses where is the advantage in patenting the gene? Who would pay for the test? They either believe that it can be useful and therefore TB breeders will pay for the test or they just failed to include the info in the paper for another reason.

[Pan Zareta]

Even if optimal racing distance can't be precisely determined from identification of the ACE haplotype it's likely that that haplotype will become something breeders want to know and take into consideration when planning matings. So there's little to lose and everything to gain by establishing exclusive rights to the ACE gene. And there is plenty of precedent for selective exclusion to protect commercial potential of certain data in articles published in peer-reviewed, scientific, literature. Thoroughbred Genetics Ltd. and their 2002 mtDNA study would be one example.