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Horse Genetics / Horse Health / Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED)

Gene or Region: GBE1

Reference Variant: C

Mutant Variant: A

Affected Breeds: Quarter Horses and Paint Horses

Research Confidence: High - Findings reproduced in multiple studies

Explanation of Results: gbed/gbed = homozygous for Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency, trait expressed gbed/n = heterozygous for Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency, carrier n/n = no variant detected

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) in Horses: Genetic Testing, Symptoms, and Management

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) is a lethal recessive disorder characterized by seizures, muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and death. Many affected foals do not make it full term and are aborted or stillborn. Carriers (gbed/n) have no known issues. This disorder is analogous to glycogen storage disease type IV in humans and Norwegian forest cats. Studies have indicated that between 4-11% of registered American Quarter Horses and American Paint Horses carry the GBED mutation.

Gene Information

GBE1 is an enzyme involved in the conversion between glucose and glycogen. Both stored glycogen and mobilized glucose are vital for normal physiological functions. Glycogen storage disorders have been documented in many species. The GBED mutation results in a premature stop codon that severely truncates the produced protein.

References

Ward TL et al., “Glycogen branching enzyme (GBE1) mutation causing equine glycogen storage disease IV.” (2004) Mamm Genome. 15: 570-7. PMID: 15366377

Wagner ML et al., “Allele frequency and likely impact of the glycogen branching enzyme deficiency gene in Quarter Horse and Paint Horse populations.” (2006) J Vet Intern Med. 20: 1207-11. PMID: 17063718

Tryon RC et al., “Evaluation of allele frequencies of inherited disease genes in subgroups of American Quarter Horses.” (2009) J Am Vet Med Assoc. 234: 120-5. PMID: 19119976

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