Identification of an cysteine-to-arginine substitution caused by a single nucleotide polymorphism in the canine monoamine oxidase B gene.

Monoamine oxidase B catalytically oxidizes biogenic amines such as phenylethylamine and dopamine, and its activity is presumed to be related to particular behavioral traits. In this study, we first identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (T199C) located on the putative third exon of the canine monoamine oxidase B gene, which causes an amino acid substitution from cysteine to arginine. We then examined the allelic frequencies in five dog breeds (Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, and Shiba) and found significant variation among them. The present results suggest that analysis of the monoamine oxidase B polymorphism could be a useful means of elucidating the genetic background of breed-specific behavioral characteristics in dogs.