Canine GM2-Gangliosidosis Sandhoff Disease Associated with a 3-Base Pair Deletion in the HEXB Gene.

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular features are characterized in a Shiba Inu with GM2-gangliosidosis. The deletion of 3 adjacent base pairs in HEXB predicts the loss of a leucine residue at amino acid position 207 (p.Leu207del) supporting the hypothesis that GM2-gangliosidosis seen in this dog is the Sandhoff type. Because GM1-gangliosidosis also exists in this breed with almost identical clinical signs, genetic testing for both GM1- and GM2-gangliosidosis should be considered to make a definitive diagnosis.