The genetics of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered hereditary, although genetic discovery is limited to specific breeds or small families. We performed whole genome sequencing and RNA-sequencing in 138 and 42 cats, respectively, to identify novel variants and molecular signatures associated with disease. No single or combination of variants appeared to cause or modify disease in whole genome association testing, highlighting the complex disease genotype-phenotype relationship. Transcriptomic data revealed several differences in gene expression profiles between HCM-affected cats and controls that may serve useful in future investigations of feline precision medicine.