Mutations of Gene in Canine Sweat Gland Carcinomas Probably Associated with UV Radiation.

INTRODUCTION

Apocrine sweat gland carcinomas (ASGCs) are rare malignant skin tumours in dogs and humans. The literature published so far focuses mostly on the clinico-epidemiological aspect of these tumours, but little is known about their pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to determine whether the gene is involved in the carcinogenesis of the apocrine sweat gland in dogs and whether ultraviolet radiation (UV) is related to it.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty canine ASGCs were submitted to laser capture microdissection to isolate neoplastic cells, from which DNA was subsequently extracted. PCR amplification and sequencing of exons 2-8 was then performed, followed by computer analysis of the obtained sequences.

RESULTS

Sixteen mutations within the gene were found in 13 tumours. The mutations involved C → T, T → C, G → A, and CC → TT transitions, C → G transversion and adenine deletion, which are gene alteration types known to be related to UV radiation in the process of skin carcinogenesis in humans. Six of the thirteen tumour cases displayed the C → T transitions in the same location in exon 4 and three of the thirteen cases displayed T → C in the same location in exon 5.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate both the participation of the gene and the influence of UV radiation in the formation of ASGCs in dogs.