Identification of isoforms and RH mapping of canine KIT.

The proto-oncogene, C-KIT (KIT), encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor, and mutations in this gene are causative for several mammalian diseases, including cancer and a form of pigmentation-associated hereditary deafness. Our laboratories are interested in a form of hereditary deafness that is associated with abnormalities in pigmentation and is common in the Dalmatian. Thus, KIT is being analyzed as a candidate gene for deafness in this breed. In addition to our interest in deafness, we are involved in mapping gene loci in the canine genome. Reported here is the identification of two isoforms of canine C-kit and radiation hybrid mapping of KIT to CFA13.