Molecular Analyses in a Rabbit Model of Craniosynostosis: Likely Exclusion of Known Candidate Genes as the Loci of Origin

Craniosynostosis (CS) involves the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. We work with a naturally occurring rabbit model of CS with an undefined etiology. Known causes of coronal CS were evaluated to identify potential associations with CS in the rabbit. Candidate genes were sequenced in control New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits (n = 4) and synostotic NZW rabbits (n = 4). Variants were identified by alignment using Clustal Omega. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were classified according to phenotypic associations and predicted impact on protein structure. Human correlates were identified in the database of single nucleotide polymorphisms (dbSNP). A total of 21 SNVs were identified in the 10 genes examined. Variant classification and inheritance patterns are inconsistent with causality. The genetic basis for disease in the CS rabbit likely involves novel loci and is not associated with known causes of coronal synostosis