Patent Publication Number: US-2009239225-A1

Title: Prediction and diagnosis of canine degenerative myelopathy

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 61/025,949, filed Feb. 4, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the fields of molecular genetics, veterinary medicine, veterinary neurology, human neurology and human medicine. More particularly, it concerns the veterinary disease canine degenerative myelopathy and the human disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of genetic markers to identify the presence of a major genetic risk factor for canine degenerative myelopathy which is a fatal veterinary disease and a model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM; also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy) is a neurological disease common in German Shepherds, Welsh Corgis, and several other breeds. The disease is chronic and progressive, and can result in lameness in the animal and eventually may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. The animal could be crippled within a few months, or may survive up to 3 years. Under any scenario, the disease is debilating for the animal, severely hampers the quality of life, culminates in euthanasia, and is devastating for pet owners and breeders alike. 
     CDM is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, though it may be possible to maintain the dog&#39;s quality of life for a short time through a proper program of exercise and nutrition. Exercise has been recommended to maintain the dog&#39;s ability to walk, and physiotherapy may prolong the length of time that the dog remains mobile and increase survival time, but the ultimate outcome is not favorable. There are still no proven effective therapies to halt or slow progression of CDM. Although not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aminocaproic acid (EACA) and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) may slow the progression, but this treatment is still experimental and controversial. 
     Considering the debilitating nature of the disease and the lack of proven therapies, the identification of genetic markers to permit the identification of animals that are predisposed to developing CDM would be very beneficial to breeders and pet owners alike. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of screening a dog for a degenerative myelopathy genetic marker comprising (a) obtaining a nucleic acid-containing sample from said dog; and (b) assessing the structure of an SOD1 gene or transcript in said sample, wherein an alteration in the structure of said SOD1 gene or transcript, as compared to a reference wild-type SOD1 gene or transcript, indicates that said dog carries said genetic marker. The dog may be a boxer, a Welsh corgi, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a German shepherd, a Kerry blue terrier, a Irish setter, a old English sheepdog, a collie, a Standard poodle, a wire Fox terrier, another breed, or a cross-breed thereof. Step (a) may comprise pyrosequencing, competitive probe hybridization, chain-terminating sequencing, restriction digestion, allele-specific polymerase reaction, single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis, genetic bit analysis, TaqMan® allelic discrimination assay, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, ligase chain reaction, melting curve profiles, or microarray hybridization, microarray analysis in combination other nucleic acid marker assays, or may comprise assessing the structure of a genetic locus that is in linkage disequilibrium with said genetic marker. The genetic marker may be a polymorphism in the SOD1 coding region corresponding to an E→K substitution at residue 40 of the SOD1 polypeptide. The method may further comprise performing an assay that assesses SOD1 function. 
     The reference wild-type SOD1 exon 2 sequence may comprise the following sequence: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO: 1) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 5′-ggaagtgggcctgttgtggtatcaggaaccattacagggctgactaa 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aggcgagcatggattccacgtccatcagtttggagataatacacaag-3′ 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The variant SOD1 exon 2 sequence may comprise the following sequence: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO: 2) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 5′-ggaagtgggcctgttgtggtatcaggaaccattacagggctgactaa 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aggcgagcatggattccacgtccatcagtttggagataatacacaag-3′ 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In another embodiment, there is provided a method of assessing a treatment for canine degenerative myelopathy or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis comprising (a) identifying a dog having a mutation in an SOD1 gene as compared to a reference wild-type SOD1 gene or transcript; (b) administering to said dog a candidate therapy; and (c) assessing said candidate therapy for efficacy against said degenerative myelopathy. The dog may be a boxer, a Welsh corgi, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a German shepherd, a Kerry blue terrier, a Irish setter, a old English sheepdog, a Collie, a standard poodle, a wire Fox terrier, or another breed, or a cross-breed thereof. The mutation may be a polymorphism in the SOD1 coding region corresponding to an E→K substitution at residue 40 of the SOD1 polypeptide. Assessing may comprise neurologic examination, electrodiagnostic testing, CT/myelography, MRI, or functional imaging, or assessing may comprise spinal chord immunohistopathology. 
     It is contemplated that any method or composition described herein can be implemented with respect to any other method or composition described herein. 
     The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” 
     These, and other, embodiments of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein. 
       FIGS.  1 A-C—Mapping of a major DM locus. ( FIG. 1A ) GWA of 49,663 SNPs by using 38 cases (phenotypic stringencies 1 to 4) and 17 controls from Pembroke Welsh corgis identified a major locus on CFA31 (p genome =0.18) and weaker signals on other chromosomes by using 10,000 permutations in PLINK (38). ( FIG. 1B ) The CFA31 region of association spans ˜1.5 Mb and includes SOD1. P values from fine-mapping with 90 SNPs in 63 cases (phenotypic stringency levels 1-3) and 144 controls from 5 breeds (Boxer, 8/15 [Case/Control]; Chesapeake Bay retriever, 9/48; German Shepherd dog, 4/54; Pembroke Welsh corgi, 35/17; and Rhodesian ridgeback, 7/8) are shown as well as the association for the missense mutation, which was separately assayed. ( FIG. 1C ) Fine-mapping data shows that a 195-kb haplotype surrounding the SOD1 mutation is associated in all 5 breeds and that this haplotype is older than the SOD1 mutation. 
       FIGS.  2 A-B—Spinal cord histopathology. ( FIG. 2A ) Luxol fast blue-periodic acid Schiff staining of a thoracic spinal cord cross-section from a DM-affected 13-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi. The white matter degeneration is depicted by regions of pallor where there has been loss of nerve fibers. ( FIG. 2B ) Asimilarly stained spinal cord cross section from an unaffected 13-year-old Labrador retriever. Note there is no evidence of nerve fiber loss. The bar in the lower right of the photomicrograph indicates the magnification. 
       FIGS.  3 A-I—Immunohistochemical staining with anti-SOD1 antibody. Representative sections from the spinal cords from 3 G/G homozygous asymptomatic control dogs ( FIGS. 3A-C ), 3 A/G heterozygous asymptomatic control dogs ( FIGS. 3D-F ), and 3 A/A homozygous dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of DM ( FIGS. 3G-I ). The samples were from a 13-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback ( FIG. 3A ), an 8-year-old Labrador retriever ( FIG. 3B ), a 13-year-old Labrador retriever ( FIG. 3C ), an 8-year-old Australian Shepherd ( FIG. 3D ), a 13-year-old Tibetan terrier ( FIG. 3E ), an 8-year-old German Shepherd dog ( FIG. 3F ), an 8-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback ( FIG. 3G ), a 13-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi ( FIG. 3H ), and a 10-year-old Boxer ( FIG. 3I ). The bar in  FIG. 3A  indicates the magnification for all spinal cord cross-sections. 
       FIGS.  4 A-D—Skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve histopathology in advanced DM. ( FIG. 4A ) H&amp;E stained paraffin sections of the gastrocnemius muscle from a 13-year-old DM-affected Pembroke Welsh corgi showed excessive variability in myofiber size with large and small groups of atrophic fibers consistent with denervation. ( FIG. 4B ) For comparison, a similarly stained gastrocnemius muscle from an age-matched control dog. ( FIG. 4C ) Toluidine blue stained resin embedded sections of the peroneal nerve from the same Pembroke Welsh corgi showed substantial myelinated fiber loss, endoneurial fibrosis and secondary demyelination. ( FIG. 4D ) For comparison, a similarly stained peroneal nerve from an age-matched control dog. Bars in the lower right of all figures indicate the magnification. 
       FIG.  5 —Distributions of the ages at sampling of the A/A homozygotes in the affected-breed control group and the ages at onset of clinical signs in the DM-affected dogs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     I. The Present Invention 
     Canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM) is a crippling and fatal neurological disease common in a variety of canine breeds. The disease is chronic and progressive, and the only “treatments”—physical therapy and nutrition—have limited ability to slow the onset of the disease. Ultimately, a dog&#39;s back legs become useless, at which point euthanasia may be the only option. If euthanasia is delayed, the disease will ascend to affect the front legs. Progression of the disease is generally slow but unavoidable. As discussed above, the etiology of this disease is unknown, although it is considered that the basis may be genetic. It is therefore of great importance to breeders to be able to identify dogs that carry a genetic risk factor so that they can avoid matings that will produce puppies that are at increased risk of developing CDM when they get older. In addition, a dog&#39;s genotype with respect to a genetic risk factor can help confirm or refute a diagnosis of CDM in a dog showing clinical signs of the disease. 
     The inventors have mapped the risk locus for CDM to region of CFA31 in Pembroke Welsh corgis. Within this chromosomal region, they discovered a missense mutation (E40K) in the canine superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, and observed that the K allele is common in several other breeds. Finally, the inventors have demonstrated that homozygosity for the K allele is a major genetic risk factor for CDM. It is of great importance to breeders and owners to be able to identify “at risk” animals, as well as animals that could pass the disease on to future generations. Genetic markers for the high-risk allele will facilitate CDM diagnosis. These markers will also enable breeders to select matings that will produce puppies with greatly reduced risk of developing CDM. Missense mutations in the human SOD1 gene cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease with many clinical and pathological similarities to CDM. Therefore, dogs with CDM are potential animal models for the human disease ALS. DMA markers can help identify dogs that are homozygous for the A allele and can thus be used as an animal model to investigate the underlying disease menchanism or to evaluate potential treatments for ALS or CDM. 
     II. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (CDM) 
     Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy) is a neurological disease prevalent in German shepherds, boxers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Pemroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and other pure- and cross-bred dogs. The disease is chronic and progressive, and can result in lameness in the animal, and eventually death. 
     The disease usually manifests between the ages of seven and fourteen and initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination. These cause a staggering effect that may appear to be arthritis. The dog may scuff its one or both rear paws when it walks. This scuffing can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down. Eventually the condition may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. As the disease progresses the animal starts having considerable difficulties walking, and eventually the back legs become useless, at which point euthanasia may be the only option. If euthanasia is delayed, the clinical signs will progress to affect the front legs. Progression of the disease is generally slow. The animal could be crippled within a few months, or members of smaller breeds may survive up to 3 years as owners may delay euthanasia because they can easily carry smaller dogs. 
     Known causes of spinal cord dysfunction should be excluded before accepting the diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy; cervical disc disease (protrusion or rupture) can cause contusions and compression of the spinal cord with all of the signs of degenerative myelopathy. Canine degenerative myelopathy can only be diagnosed by histopathology of the spinal cord. Lesions demonstrate axonal and myelin loss replaced by gliosis in all funciuli of the spinal cord most severe in the dorsal portion of the lateral funiculus of the mid to caudal thoracic spinal cord. 
     This is a chronic condition that cannot be cured; however, it may be possible to temporarily maintain the dog&#39;s quality of life through a proper program of exercise and nutrition. There are no proven effective therapies to alter progression of degenerative myelopathy. Exercise has been recommended to maintain the dog&#39;s ability to walk, and physiotherapy may prolong the length of time that the dog remains mobile and increase survival time. Canine hydrotherapy (swimming) may be more useful than walking. Although not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aminocaproic acid (EACA) and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) are thought by some to alter progression. 
     III. Superoxide Dismutase 
     The enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. As such, it is an important antioxidant defense in nearly all cells exposed to oxygen. The SOD-catalysed dismutation of superoxide may be written with the following half-reactions: 
       M (n+1)+ -SOD+O 2   − →M n+ -SOD+O 2    
       M n+ -SOD+O 2   − +2H + →M (n+1)+ -SOD+H 2 O 2    
     where M=Cu (n=1); Mn (n=2); Fe (n=2); Ni (n=2). In this reaction, the oxidation state of the metal cation oscillates between n and n+1. 
     SODs were prior were known as several metalloproteins with unknown function (for example, CuZnSOD was known as erythrocuprein). Several common forms of SOD exist, cofactored with copper and zinc, or manganese, iron, or nickel. 
     Chicken liver (and nearly all other) mitochondria, and many bacteria (such as  E. coli ) contain a form with manganese (Mn—SOD). The ligands of the manganese ions are 3 histidine side chains, an aspartate side chain and a water molecule or hydroxy ligand depending on the Mn oxidation state (respectively II and III).  E. coli  and many other bacteria also contain a form of the enzyme with iron (Fe—SOD); some bacteria contain Fe—SOD, others Mn—SOD, and some contain both. The active sites of Mn and Fe superoxide dismutases contain the same type of amino acids side chains. In humans, three forms of superoxide dismutase are present. SOD1 is located in the cytoplasm, SOD2 in the mitochondria and SOD3 is extracellular. The first is a dimer (consists of two units), while the others are tetramers (four subunits). SOD1 and SOD3 contain copper and zinc, while SOD2 has manganese in its reactive centre. The genes are located on human chromosomes 21, 6 and 4, respectively (21q22.1, 6q25.3 and 4p15.3-p15.1). A microtiter plate assay for SOD is available. 
     A. SOD1 Function 
     The cytosols of virtually all eukaryotic cells contain an SOD enzyme with copper and zinc (Cu—Zn—SOD). The Cu—Zn enzyme is a homodimer of molecular weight 32,500. The two subunits are joined primarily by hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The ligands of copper and zinc are histidine side chains. 
     Simply-stated, SOD out competes damaging reactions of superoxide, thus protecting the cell from superoxide toxicity. The reaction of superoxide with non-radicals is spin forbidden. In biological systems, this means its main reactions are with itself (dismutation) or with another biological radical such as nitric oxide (NO). The superoxide anion radical (O 2   − ) spontaneously dismutes to O 2  and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) quite rapidly (˜10 5  M −1 s −1  at pH 7). SOD is biologically necessary because superoxide reacts even faster with certain targets such as NO radical, which makes peroxynitrite. Similarly, the dismutation rate is second order with respect to initial superoxide concentration. Thus, the half-life of superoxide, although very short at high concentrations (e.g., 0.05 seconds at 0.1 mM) is actually quite long at low concentrations (e.g., 14 hours at 0.1 nM). In contrast, the reaction of superoxide with SOD is first order with respect to superoxide concentration. Moreover, superoxide has the fastest turnover number (reaction rate with its substrate) of any known enzyme (˜10 9  M −1 s −1 ), this reaction being only limited by the frequency of collision between itself and superoxide. That is, the reaction rate is “diffusion limited.” 
     B. SOD1 in Disease 
     Mutations in SOD1 have been linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, a form of motor neuron disease). The other two types have not been linked to any human diseases, however, in mice inactivation of SOD2 causes perinatal lethality and inactivation of SOD1 causes hepatocellular carcinoma. Mutations in SOD1 can cause familial ALS by a mechanism that is presently not understood, but not due to loss of enzymatic activity. Overexpression of SOD1 has been linked to Down&#39;s syndrome. Prior to this work, canine SOD1 has not been linked to any particular disease state. 
     C. Canine SOD1 Protein and cDNA Structure 
     Wild-Type Canine cDNA Coding Sequence: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 atggagatgaaggccgtgtgcgtgttgaagggccagggcccggtggaggg 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 caccatccacttcgtgcagaagggaagtgggcctgttgtggtatcaggaa 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ccattacagggctgactgaaggcgagcatggattccacgtccatcagttt 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggagataatacacaaggctgtactagtgcaggtcctcactttaatcctct 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtccaaaaaacatggtgggccaaaagatcaagagaggcatgttggagacc 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tgggcaatgtgactgctggcaaggatggcgtggccattgtgtccatagaa 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gattctctgattgcactctcaggagactattccatcattggccgcaccat 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggtggtccacgagaaacgagatgacttgggcaaaggtgacaatgaagaaa 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtacacagacaggaaacgccgggagtcgtttggcttgtggtgtcattggg 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 atcgccaagtaa 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Variant Canine cDNA Coding Sequence: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO: 7) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 atggagatgaaggccgtgtgcgtgttgaagggccagggcccggtggaggg 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 caccatccacttcgtgcagaagggaagtgggcctgttgtggtatcaggaa 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ccattacagggctgactgaaggcgagcatggattccacgtccatcagttt 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggagataatacacaaggctgtactagtgcaggtcctcactttaatcctct 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtccaaaaaacatggtgggccaaaagatcaagagaggcatgttggagacc 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tgggcaatgtgactgctggcaaggatggcgtggccattgtgtccatagaa 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gattctctgattgcactctcaggagactattccatcattggccgcaccat 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggtggtccacgagaaacgagatgacttgggcaaaggtgacaatgaagaaa 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtacacagacaggaaacgccgggagtcgtttggcttgtggtgtcattggg 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 atcgccaagtaa 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Predicted Wild-Type Amino Acid Sequence: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO: 8) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 MEMKAVCVLKGQGPVEGTIHFVQKGSGPVVVSGTITGLTEGEHGFHVHQF 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GDNTQGCTSAGPHFNPLSKKHGGPKDQERHVGDLGNVTAGKDGVAIVSIE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 DSLIALSGDYSIIGRTMVVHEKRDDLGKGDNEESTQTGNAGSRLACGVIG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 IAK* 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Predicted Variant Amino Acid Sequence: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO: 9) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 MEMKAVCVLKGQGPVEGTIHFVQKGSGPVVVSGTITGLTKGEHGFHVHQF 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GDNTQGCTSAGPHFNPLSKKHGGPKDQERHVGDLGNVTAGKDGVAIVSIE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 DSLIALSGDYSIIGRTMVVHEKRDDLGKGDNEESTQTGNAGSRLACGVIG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 IAK* 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     IV. Genetic Screening of Canine SOD1 
     Because the genetic variant is in a coding region of the SOD1 gene and affects the encoded protein, the presence of the E40K polymorphism can be determined from either the sequence of the SOD1 protein, the sequence of the SOD1 nucleic acid or a genetic marker that is in linkage disequilibrium with the E40K polymorphism. As a result, a variety of different methodologies can be employed. 
     A. Nucleic Acids 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention concern the analysis of nucleic acids, including the use of amplification primers, oligonucleotide probes, and other nucleic acid elements involved in the analysis of genomic DNA, cDNA or mRNA transcripts. The term “nucleic acid” is well known in the art. A “nucleic acid” as used herein will generally refer to a molecule (i.e., a strand) of DNA or RNA comprised in part by a nucleotide bases. Nucleobases include, for example, naturally-occurring purine or pyrimidine bases found in DNA (e.g., an adenine “A,” a guanine “G,” a thymine “T” or a cytosine “C”) or RNA (e.g., an A, a G, an uracil “U” or a C). The term “nucleic acid” encompass the terms “oligonucleotide” and “polynucleotide,” each as a subgenus of the term “nucleic acid.” The term “oligonucleotide” refers to a molecule of between about 3 and about 100 nucleobases in length. The term “polynucleotide” refers to at least one molecule of greater than about 100 nucleobases in length. A “gene” refers to coding sequence of a gene product, as well as introns and the promoter of the gene product. 
     In some embodiments, nucleic acids of the invention comprise or are complementary to all or 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 990, 1000, 1100, 1165, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 or more contiguous nucleotides, or any range derivable therein, of the canine SOD1 sequence with either a G or A at position 118 of the cDNA sequence of canine SOD1. One of skill in the art knows how to design and use primers and probes for hybridization and amplification, including the limits of homology needed to implement primers and probes. 
     These definitions generally refer to a single-stranded molecule, but in specific embodiments will also encompass an additional strand that is partially, substantially or fully complementary to the single-stranded molecule. Thus, a nucleic acid may encompass a double-stranded molecule or a triple-stranded molecule that comprises one or more complementary strand(s) or “complement(s)” of a particular sequence comprising a molecule. As used herein, a single-stranded nucleic acid may be denoted by the prefix “ss,” a double-stranded nucleic acid by the prefix “ds,” and a triple-stranded nucleic acid by the prefix “ts.” 
     In particular aspects, a nucleic acid encodes a protein, polypeptide, or peptide. In certain embodiments, the present invention concerns novel compositions comprising at least one proteinaceous molecule. As used herein, a “proteinaceous molecule,” “proteinaceous composition,” “proteinaceous compound,” “proteinaceous chain,” or “proteinaceous material” generally refers, but is not limited to, a protein of greater than about 200 amino acids or the full length endogenous sequence translated from a gene; a polypeptide of greater than about 100 amino acids; and/or a peptide of from about 3 to about 100 amino acids. All the “proteinaceous” terms described above may be used interchangeably herein. 
     1. Preparation of Nucleic Acids 
     A nucleic acid may be made by any technique known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as for example, chemical synthesis, enzymatic production or biological production. Non-limiting examples of a synthetic nucleic acid (e.g., a synthetic oligonucleotide), include a nucleic acid made by in vitro chemical synthesis using phosphotriester, phosphite or phosphoramidite chemistry and solid phase techniques such as described in European Patent 266,032, incorporated herein by reference, or via deoxynucleoside H-phosphonate intermediates as described by Froehler et al., 1986 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,629, each incorporated herein by reference. In the methods of the present invention, one or more oligonucleotide may be used. Various different mechanisms of oligonucleotide synthesis have been disclosed in for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,659,774, 4,816,571, 5,141,813, 5,264,566, 4,959,463, 5,428,148, 5,554,744, 5,574,146, 5,602,244, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     A non-limiting example of an enzymatically produced nucleic acid include one produced by enzymes in amplification reactions such as PCR™ (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,195, each incorporated herein by reference), or the synthesis of an oligonucleotide described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,897, incorporated herein by reference. A non-limiting example of a biologically produced nucleic acid includes a recombinant nucleic acid produced (i.e., replicated) in a living cell, such as a recombinant DNA vector replicated in bacteria (see for example, Sambrook et al. 2001, incorporated herein by reference). 
     2. Purification of Nucleic Acids 
     A nucleic acid may be purified on polyacrylamide gels, cesium chloride centrifugation gradients, chromatography columns or by any other means known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example, Sambrook et al., 2001, incorporated herein by reference). In some aspects, a nucleic acid is a pharmacologically acceptable nucleic acid. Pharmacologically acceptable compositions are known to those of skill in the art, and are described herein. 
     In certain aspects, the present invention concerns a nucleic acid that is an isolated nucleic acid. As used herein, the term “isolated nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid molecule (e.g., an RNA or DNA molecule) that has been isolated free of, or is otherwise free of, the bulk of the total genomic and transcribed nucleic acids of one or more cells. In certain embodiments, “isolated nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid that has been isolated free of, or is otherwise free of, bulk of cellular components or in vitro reaction components such as for example, macromolecules such as lipids or proteins, small biological molecules, and the like. 
     3. Nucleic Acid Segments 
     In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid is a nucleic acid segment. As used herein, the term “nucleic acid segment,” are fragments of a nucleic acid, such as, for a non-limiting example, those that encode only part of a gene locus or a gene sequence. Thus, a “nucleic acid segment” may comprise any part of a gene sequence, including from about 2 nucleotides to the full length gene including promoter regions to the polyadenylation signal and any length that includes all the coding region. 
     Various nucleic acid segments may be designed based on a particular nucleic acid sequence, and may be of any length. By assigning numeric values to a sequence, for example, the first residue is 1, the second residue is 2, etc., an algorithm defining all nucleic acid segments can be created: 
       n to n+y 
     where n is an integer from 1 to the last number of the sequence and y is the length of the nucleic acid segment minus one, where n+y does not exceed the last number of the sequence. Thus, for a 10-mer, the nucleic acid segments correspond to bases 1 to 10, 2 to 11, 3 to 12 . . . and so on. For a 15-mer, the nucleic acid segments correspond to bases 1 to 15, 2 to 16, 3 to 17 . . . and so on. For a 20-mer, the nucleic segments correspond to bases 1 to 20, 2 to 21, 3 to 22 . . . and so on. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid segment may be a probe or primer. As used herein, a “probe” generally refers to a nucleic acid used in a detection method or composition. As used herein, a “primer” generally refers to a nucleic acid used in an extension or amplification method or composition. 
     4. Nucleic Acid Complements 
     The present invention also encompasses a nucleic acid that is complementary to a nucleic acid. A nucleic acid is “complement(s)” or is “complementary” to another nucleic acid when it is capable of base-pairing with another nucleic acid according to the standard Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reverse Hoogsteen binding complementarity rules. As used herein “another nucleic acid” may refer to a separate molecule or a spatial separated sequence of the same molecule. In preferred embodiments, a complement is a hybridization probe or amplification primer for the detection of a nucleic acid polymorphism. 
     As used herein, the term “complementary” or “complement” also refers to a nucleic acid comprising a sequence of consecutive nucleobases or semiconsecutive nucleobases (e.g., one or more nucleobase moieties are not present in the molecule) capable of hybridizing to another nucleic acid strand or duplex even if less than all the nucleobases do not base pair with a counterpart nucleobase. However, in some diagnostic or detection embodiments, completely complementary nucleic acids are preferred. 
     5. Nucleic Acid Detection and Evaluation 
     Those in the art will readily recognize that nucleic acid molecules may be double-stranded molecules and that reference to a particular site on one strand refers, as well, to the corresponding site on a complementary strand. Thus, in defining a polymorphic site, reference to an adenine, a thymine (uridine), a cytosine, or a guanine at a particular site on the plus (sense or coding) strand of a nucleic acid molecule is also intended to include the thymine (uridine), adenine, guanine, or cytosine (respectively) at the corresponding site on a minus (antisense or noncoding) strand of a complementary strand of a nucleic acid molecule. Thus, reference may be made to either strand and still comprise the same polymorphic site and an oligonucleotide may be designed to hybridize to either strand. Throughout the text, in identifying a polymorphic site, reference is made to the sense strand, only for the purpose of convenience. 
     Typically, the nucleic acid mixture is isolated from a biological sample taken from the individual, such as a blood sample or tissue sample using standard techniques such as disclosed in Jones (1963) which is hereby incorporated by reference. Suitable tissue samples include whole blood, semen saliva, tears, urine, fecal material, sweat, buccal mucosa, skin and hair. The nucleic acid mixture may be comprised of genomic DNA, mRNA, or cDNA and, in the latter two cases, the biological sample must be obtained from an organ in which the SOD1 gene is expressed. Furthermore it will be understood by the skilled artisan that mRNA or cDNA preparations would not be used to detect polymorphisms located in introns or in 5′ and 3′ nontranscribed regions. If a SOD1 gene fragment is isolated, it must contain the polymorphic site(s) to be genotyped. 
     In the genotyping methods used in the present invention, the identity of a nucleotide (or nucleotide pair) at a polymorphic site may be determined by amplifying a target region(s) containing the polymorphic site(s) directly from one or both copies of the SOD1 gene present in the individual and the sequence of the amplified region(s) determined by conventional methods. It will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan that only one nucleotide will be detected at a polymorphic site in individuals who are homozygous at that site, while two different nucleotides will be detected if the individual is heterozygous for that site. The polymorphism may be identified directly, known as positive-type identification, or by inference, referred to as negative-type identification. For example, where a SNP is known to be guanine and cytosine in a reference population, a site may be positively determined to be either guanine or cytosine for an individual homozygous at that site, or both guanine and cytosine, if the individual is heterozygous at that site. Alternatively, the site may be negatively determined to be not guanine (and thus cytosine/cytosine) or not cytosine (and thus guanine/guanine). 
     The target region(s) may be amplified using any oligonucleotide-directed amplification method, including but not limited to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,188), ligase chain reaction (LCR) (Barany et al., 1991; WO90/01069), and oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) (Landegren et al., 1988). Oligonucleotides useful as primers or probes in such methods should specifically hybridize to a region of the nucleic acid that contains or is adjacent to the polymorphic site. Typically, the oligonucleotides are between 10 and 35 nucleotides in length and preferably, between 15 and 30 nucleotides in length. Most preferably, the oligonucleotides are 20 to 25 nucleotides long. The exact length of the oligonucleotide will depend on many factors that are routinely considered and practiced by the skilled artisan. 
     Other known nucleic acid amplification procedures may be used to amplify the target region including transcription-based amplification systems (U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,238; EP 329,822; U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,766, WO89/06700) and isothermal methods (Walker et al., 1992). 
     A polymorphism in the target region may also be assayed before or after amplification using one of several hybridization-based methods known in the art. Typically, allele-specific oligonucleotides are utilized in performing such methods. The allele-specific oligonucleotides may be used as differently labeled probe pairs, with one member of the pair showing a perfect match to one variant of a target sequence and the other member showing a perfect match to a different variant. In some embodiments, more than one polymorphic site may be detected at once using a set of allele-specific oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide pairs. 
     Hybridization of an allele-specific oligonucleotide to a target polynucleotide may be performed with both entities in solution, or such hybridization may be performed when either the oligonucleotide or the target polynucleotide is covalently or noncovalently affixed to a solid support. Attachment may be mediated, for example, by antibody-antigen interactions, poly-L-Lys, streptavidin or avidin-biotin, salt bridges, hydrophobic interactions, chemical linkages, UV cross-linking baking, etc. Allele-specific oligonucleotides may be synthesized directly on the solid support or attached to the solid support subsequent to synthesis. Solid-supports suitable for use in detection methods of the invention include substrates made of silicon, glass, plastic, paper and the like, which may be formed, for example, into wells (as in 96-well plates), slides, sheets, membranes, fibers, chips, dishes, and beads. The solid support may be treated, coated or derivatized to facilitate the immobilization of the allele-specific oligonucleotide or target nucleic acid. 
     The genotype for one or more polymorphic sites in the gene of an individual may also be determined by hybridization of one or both copies of the gene, or a fragment thereof, to nucleic acid arrays and subarrays such as described in WO 95/11995. The arrays would contain a battery of allele-specific oligonucleotides representing each of the polymorphic sites to be included in the genotype or haplotype. 
     The identity of polymorphisms may also be determined using a mismatch detection technique, including but not limited to the RNase protection method using riboprobes (Winter et al., 1985; Meyers et al., 1985) and proteins which recognize nucleotide mismatches, such as the  E. coli  mutS protein (Modrich, 1991). Alternatively, variant alleles can be identified by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis (Orita et al., 1989; Humphries, et al., 1996) or denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Wartell et al., 1990; Sheffield et al., 1989). 
     A polymerase-mediated primer extension method may also be used to identify the polymorphism(s). Several such methods have been described in the patent and scientific literature. Extended primers containing a polymorphism may be detected by mass spectrometry as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,798. Another primer extension method is allele-specific PCR (Ruano et al., 1989; Ruano et al., 1991; WO 93/22456; Turki et al., 1995). 
     a. Hybridization 
     The use of a probe or primer of between 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 nucleotides, preferably between 17 and 100 nucleotides in length, or in some aspects of the invention up to 1-2 kilobases or more in length, allows the formation of a duplex molecule that is both stable and selective. Molecules having complementary sequences over contiguous stretches greater than 20 bases in length are generally preferred, to increase stability and/or selectivity of the hybrid molecules obtained. One will generally prefer to design nucleic acid molecules for hybridization having one or more complementary sequences of 20 to 30 nucleotides, or even longer where desired. Such fragments may be readily prepared, for example, by directly synthesizing the fragment by chemical means or by introducing selected sequences into recombinant vectors for recombinant production. 
     Accordingly, the nucleotide sequences of the invention may be used for their ability to selectively form duplex molecules with complementary stretches of DNAs and/or RNAs or to provide primers for amplification of DNA or RNA from samples. Depending on the application envisioned, one would desire to employ varying conditions of hybridization to achieve varying degrees of selectivity of the probe or primers for the target sequence. 
     For applications requiring high selectivity, one will typically desire to employ relatively high stringency conditions to form the hybrids. For example, relatively low salt and/or high temperature conditions, such as provided by about 0.02 M to about 0.10 M NaCl at temperatures of about 50° C. to about 70° C. Such high stringency conditions tolerate little, if any, mismatch between the probe or primers and the template or target strand and would be particularly suitable for isolating specific genes or for detecting a specific polymorphism. It is generally appreciated that conditions can be rendered more stringent by the addition of increasing amounts of formamide. For example, under highly stringent conditions, hybridization to filter-bound DNA may be carried out in 0.5 M NaHPO 4 , 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989). 
     Conditions may be rendered less stringent by increasing salt concentration and/or decreasing temperature. For example, a medium stringency condition could be provided by about 0.1 to 0.25 M NaCl at temperatures of about 37° C. to about 55° C., while a low stringency condition could be provided by about 0.15 M to about 0.9 M salt, at temperatures ranging from about 20° C. to about 55° C. Under low stringent conditions, such as moderately stringent conditions the washing may be carried out for example in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989). Hybridization conditions can be readily manipulated depending on the desired results. 
     In other embodiments, hybridization may be achieved under conditions of, for example, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 75 mM KCl, 3 mM MgCl 2 , 1.0 mM dithiothreitol, at temperatures between approximately 20° C. to about 37° C. Other hybridization conditions utilized could include approximately 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 50 mM KCl, 1.5 mM MgCl 2 , at temperatures ranging from approximately 40° C. to about 72° C. 
     In certain embodiments, it will be advantageous to employ nucleic acids of defined sequences of the present invention in combination with an appropriate means, such as a label, for determining hybridization. A wide variety of appropriate indicator means are known in the art, including fluorescent, radioactive, enzymatic or other ligands, such as avidin/biotin, which are capable of being detected. In preferred embodiments, one may desire to employ a fluorescent label or an enzyme tag such as urease, alkaline phosphatase or peroxidase, instead of radioactive or other environmentally undesirable reagents. In the case of enzyme tags, colorimetric indicator substrates are known that can be employed to provide a detection means that is visibly or spectrophotometrically detectable, to identify specific hybridization with complementary nucleic acid containing samples. In other aspects, a particular nuclease cleavage site may be present and detection of a particular nucleotide sequence can be determined by the presence or absence of nucleic acid cleavage. 
     In general, it is envisioned that the probes or primers described herein will be useful as reagents in solution hybridization, as in PCR, for detection of expression or genotype of corresponding genes, as well as in embodiments employing a solid phase. In embodiments involving a solid phase, the test DNA (or RNA) is adsorbed or otherwise affixed to a selected matrix or surface. This fixed, single-stranded nucleic acid is then subjected to hybridization with selected probes under desired conditions. The conditions selected will depend on the particular circumstances (depending, for example, on the G+C content, type of target nucleic acid, source of nucleic acid, size of hybridization probe, etc.). Optimization of hybridization conditions for the particular application of interest is well known to those of skill in the art. After washing of the hybridized molecules to remove non-specifically bound probe molecules, hybridization is detected, and/or quantified, by determining the amount of bound label. Representative solid phase hybridization methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,843,663, 5,900,481 and 5,919,626. Other methods of hybridization that may be used in the practice of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,849,481, 5,849,486 and 5,851,772. The relevant portions of these and other references identified in this section of the Specification are incorporated herein by reference. 
     b. Amplification of Nucleic Acids 
     Nucleic acids used as a template for amplification may be isolated from cells, tissues or other samples according to standard methodologies (Sambrook et al., 2001). In certain embodiments, analysis is performed on whole cell or tissue homogenates or biological fluid samples with or without substantial purification of the template nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may be genomic DNA or fractionated or whole cell RNA. Where RNA is used, it may be desired to first convert the RNA to a complementary DNA. 
     The term “primer,” as used herein, is meant to encompass any nucleic acid that is capable of priming the synthesis of a nascent nucleic acid in a template-dependent process. Typically, primers are oligonucleotides from ten to twenty and/or thirty base pairs in length, but longer sequences can be employed. Primers may be provided in double-stranded and/or single-stranded form, although the single-stranded form is preferred. 
     Pairs of primers designed to selectively hybridize to nucleic acids corresponding to the SOD1 gene locus, variants and fragments thereof are contacted with the template nucleic acid under conditions that permit selective hybridization. Depending upon the desired application, high stringency hybridization conditions may be selected that will only allow hybridization to sequences that are completely complementary to the primers. In other embodiments, hybridization may occur under reduced stringency to allow for amplification of nucleic acids that contain one or more mismatches with the primer sequences. Once hybridized, the template-primer complex is contacted with one or more enzymes that facilitate template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis. Multiple rounds of amplification, also referred to as “cycles,” are conducted until a sufficient amount of amplification product is produced. 
     The amplification product may be detected, analyzed or quantified. In certain applications, the detection may be performed by visual means. In certain applications, the detection may involve indirect identification of the product via chemiluminescence, radioactive scintigraphy of incorporated radiolabel or fluorescent label or even via a system using electrical and/or thermal impulse signals (Affymax technology; Bellus, 1994). 
     A number of template dependent processes are available to amplify the oligonucleotide sequences present in a given template sample. One of the best known amplification methods is the polymerase chain reaction (referred to as PCR™) which is described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195, 4,683,202 and 4,800,159, and in Innis et al., 1988, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     Another method for amplification is ligase chain reaction (“LCR”), disclosed in European Application No. 320 308, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,750 describes a method similar to LCR for binding probe pairs to a target sequence. A method based on PCR™ and oligonucleotide ligase assay (OLA) (described in further detail below), disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,148, may also be used. 
     Alternative methods for amplification of target nucleic acid sequences that may be used in the practice of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,843,650, 5,846,709, 5,846,783, 5,849,546, 5,849,497, 5,849,547, 5,858,652, 5,866,366, 5,916,776, 5,922,574, 5,928,905, 5,928,906, 5,932,451, 5,935,825, 5,939,291 and 5,942,391, Great Britain Application 2 202 328, and in PCT Application PCT/US89/01025, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Qbeta Replicase, described in PCT Application PCT/US87/00880, may also be used as an amplification method in the present invention. 
     An isothermal amplification method, in which restriction endonucleases and ligases are used to achieve the amplification of target molecules that contain nucleotide 5′-[alpha-thio]-triphosphates in one strand of a restriction site may also be useful in the amplification of nucleic acids in the present invention (Walker et al., 1992). Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA), disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,779, is another method of carrying out isothermal amplification of nucleic acids which involves multiple rounds of strand displacement and synthesis, i.e., nick translation Other nucleic acid amplification procedures include transcription-based amplification systems (TAS), including nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) and 3SR (Kwoh et al., 1989; PCT Application WO 88/10315, incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). European Application 329 822 disclose a nucleic acid amplification process involving cyclically synthesizing single-stranded RNA (“ssRNA”), ssDNA, and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
     PCT Application WO 89/06700 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) disclose a nucleic acid sequence amplification scheme based on the hybridization of a promoter region/primer sequence to a target single-stranded DNA (“ssDNA”) followed by transcription of many RNA copies of the sequence. This scheme is not cyclic, i.e., new templates are not produced from the resultant RNA transcripts. Other amplification methods include “RACE” and “one-sided PCR” (Frohman, 1990; Ohara et al., 1989). 
     c. Detection of Nucleic Acids 
     Following any amplification, it may be desirable to separate the amplification product from the template and/or the excess primer. In one embodiment, amplification products are separated by agarose, agarose-acrylamide or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using standard methods (Sambrook et al., 2001). Separated amplification products may be cut out and eluted from the gel for further manipulation. Using low melting point agarose gels, the separated band may be removed by heating the gel, followed by extraction of the nucleic acid. 
     Separation of nucleic acids may also be effected by spin columns and/or chromatographic techniques known in art. There are many kinds of chromatography which may be used in the practice of the present invention, including adsorption, partition, ion-exchange, hydroxylapatite, molecular sieve, reverse-phase, column, paper, thin-layer, and gas chromatography as well as HPLC. 
     In certain embodiments, the amplification products are visualized, with or without separation. A typical visualization method involves staining of a gel with ethidium bromide and visualization of bands under UV light. Alternatively, if the amplification products are integrally labeled with radio- or fluorometrically-labeled nucleotides, the separated amplification products can be exposed to x-ray film or visualized under the appropriate excitatory spectra. 
     In one embodiment, following separation of amplification products, a labeled nucleic acid probe is brought into contact with the amplified marker sequence. The probe preferably is conjugated to a chromophore but may be radiolabeled. In another embodiment, the probe is conjugated to a binding partner, such as an antibody or biotin, or another binding partner carrying a detectable moiety. 
     In particular embodiments, detection is by Southern blotting and hybridization with a labeled probe. The techniques involved in Southern blotting are well known to those of skill in the art (see Sambrook et al., 2001). One example of the foregoing is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,721, incorporated by reference herein, which discloses an apparatus and method for the automated electrophoresis and transfer of nucleic acids. The apparatus permits electrophoresis and blotting without external manipulation of the gel and is ideally suited to carrying out methods according to the present invention. 
     Other methods of nucleic acid detection that may be used in the practice of the instant invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,840,873, 5,843,640, 5,843,651, 5,846,708, 5,846,717, 5,846,726, 5,846,729, 5,849,487, 5,853,990, 5,853,992, 5,853,993, 5,856,092, 5,861,244, 5,863,732, 5,863,753, 5,866,331, 5,905,024, 5,910,407, 5,912,124, 5,912,145, 5,919,630, 5,925,517, 5,928,862, 5,928,869, 5,929,227, 5,932,413 and 5,935,791, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     d. Other Assays 
     Other methods for genetic screening may be used within the scope of the present invention, for example, to detect mutations in genomic DNA, cDNA and/or RNA samples. Methods used to detect point mutations include denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP), chemical or enzymatic cleavage methods, direct sequencing of target regions amplified by PCR™ (see above), single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and other methods well known in the art. 
     One method of screening for point mutations is based on RNase cleavage of base pair mismatches in RNA/DNA or RNA/RNA heteroduplexes. As used herein, the term “mismatch” is defined as a region of one or more unpaired or mispaired nucleotides in a double-stranded RNA/RNA, RNA/DNA or DNA/DNA molecule. This definition thus includes mismatches due to insertion/deletion mutations, as well as single or multiple base point mutations. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,773 describes an RNase A mismatch cleavage assay that involves annealing single-stranded DNA or RNA test samples to an RNA probe, and subsequent treatment of the nucleic acid duplexes with RNase A. For the detection of mismatches, the single-stranded products of the RNase A treatment, electrophoretically separated according to size, are compared to similarly treated control duplexes. Samples containing smaller fragments (cleavage products) not seen in the control duplex are scored as positive. 
     Other investigators have described the use of RNase I in mismatch assays. The use of RNase I for mismatch detection is described in literature from Promega Biotech. Promega markets a kit containing RNase I that is reported to cleave three out of four known mismatches. Others have described using the MutS protein or other DNA-repair enzymes for detection of single-base mismatches. 
     Alternative methods for detection of deletion, insertion or substitution mutations that may be used in the practice of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,849,483, 5,851,770, 5,866,337, 5,925,525 and 5,928,870, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     e. Specific Examples of Polymorphism Nucleic Acid Screening Methods 
     Spontaneous mutations that arise during the course of evolution in the genomes of organisms are often not immediately transmitted throughout all of the members of the species, thereby creating polymorphic alleles that co-exist in the species populations. Often polymorphisms are the cause of genetic diseases. Several classes of polymorphisms have been identified. For example, variable number tandem repeat polymorphisms (VNTRs), arise from spontaneous tandem duplications of di- or trinucleotide repeated motifs of nucleotides. If such variations alter the lengths of DNA fragments generated by restriction endonuclease cleavage, the variations are referred to as restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). RFLPs are been widely used in human and animal genetic analyses. 
     Another class of polymorphisms is generated by the replacement of a single nucleotide. Such single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can result in changes in a restriction endonuclease site. Thus, SNPs are sometimes detectable by restriction fragment length analysis. SNPs are the most common genetic variations and occur once every 100 to 300 bases and several SNP mutations have been found that affect a single nucleotide in a protein-encoding gene in a manner sufficient to actually cause a genetic disease. SNP diseases are exemplified by hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia, hereditary hemochromatosis, late-onset alzheimer disease etc. 
     Several methods have been developed to screen polymorphisms and some examples are listed below. The reference of Kwok and Chen (2003) and Kwok (2001) provide overviews of some of these methods; both of these references are specifically incorporated by reference. 
     SNPs relating to SOD1 can be characterized by the use of any of these methods or suitable modification thereof. Such methods include the direct or indirect sequencing of the site, the use of restriction enzymes where the respective alleles of the site create or destroy a restriction site, the use of allele-specific hybridization probes, the use of antibodies that are specific for the proteins encoded by the different alleles of the polymorphism, or any other biochemical interpretation. 
     i. DNA Sequencing 
     The most commonly used method of characterizing a polymorphism is direct DNA sequencing of the genetic locus that flanks and includes the polymorphism. Such analysis can be accomplished using either the “dideoxy-mediated chain termination method,” also known as the “Sanger Method” (Sanger et al., 1975) or the “chemical degradation method,” also known as the “Maxam-Gilbert method” (Maxam et al., 1977). Sequencing in combination with genomic sequence-specific amplification technologies, such as the polymerase chain reaction may be utilized to facilitate the recovery of the desired genes (Mullis et al., 1986; European Patent Application 50,424; European Patent Application. 84,796, European Patent Application 258,017, European Patent Application. 237,362; European Patent Application. 201,184; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202; 4,582,788; and 4,683,194), all of the above incorporated herein by reference. 
     ii. Exonuclease Resistance 
     Other methods that can be employed to determine the identity of a nucleotide present at a polymorphic site utilize a specialized exonuclease-resistant nucleotide derivative (U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,127). A primer complementary to an allelic sequence immediately 3′- to the polymorphic site is hybridized to the DNA under investigation. If the polymorphic site on the DNA contains a nucleotide that is complementary to the particular exonucleotide-resistant nucleotide derivative present, then that derivative will be incorporated by a polymerase onto the end of the hybridized primer. Such incorporation makes the primer resistant to exonuclease cleavage and thereby permits its detection. As the identity of the exonucleotide-resistant derivative is known one can determine the specific nucleotide present in the polymorphic site of the DNA. 
     iii. Microsequencing Methods 
     Several other primer-guided nucleotide incorporation procedures for assaying polymorphic sites in DNA have been described (Komher et al., 1989; Sokolov, 1990; Syvanen 1990; Kuppuswamy et al., 1991; Prezant et al., 1992; Ugozzoll et al., 1992; Nyren et al., 1993). These methods rely on the incorporation of labeled deoxynucleotides to discriminate between bases at a polymorphic site. As the signal is proportional to the number of deoxynucleotides incorporated, polymorphisms that occur in runs of the same nucleotide result in a signal that is proportional to the length of the run (Syvanen et al., 1990). 
     iv. Extension in Solution 
     French Patent 2,650,840 and PCT Application WO91/02087 discuss a solution-based method for determining the identity of the nucleotide of a polymorphic site. According to these methods, a primer complementary to allelic sequences immediately 3′- to a polymorphic site is used. The identity of the nucleotide of that site is determined using labeled dideoxynucleotide derivatives which are incorporated at the end of the primer if complementary to the nucleotide of the polymorphic site. 
     v. Genetic Bit Analysis or Solid-Phase Extension 
     PCT Application WO92/15712 describes a method that uses mixtures of labeled terminators and a primer that is complementary to the sequence 3′ to a polymorphic site. The labeled terminator that is incorporated is complementary to the nucleotide present in the polymorphic site of the target molecule being evaluated and is thus identified. Here the primer or the target molecule is immobilized to a solid phase. 
     vi. Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay (OLA) 
     This is another solid phase method that uses different methodology (Landegren et al., 1988). Two oligonucleotides, capable of hybridizing to abutting sequences of a single strand of a target DNA are used. One of these oligonucleotides is biotinylated while the other is detectably labeled. If the precise complementary sequence is found in a target molecule, the oligonucleotides will hybridize such that their termini abut, and create a ligation substrate. Ligation permits the recovery of the labeled oligonucleotide by using avidin. Other nucleic acid detection assays, based on this method, combined with PCR have also been described (Nickerson et al., 1990). Here, PCR is used to achieve the exponential amplification of target DNA, which is then detected using the OLA. 
     vii. Ligase/Polymerase-Mediated Genetic Bit Analysis 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,174 describes a method that also involves two primers capable of hybridizing to abutting sequences of a target molecule. The hybridized product is formed on a solid support to which the target is immobilized. Here the hybridization occurs such that the primers are separated from one another by a space of a single nucleotide. Incubating this hybridized product in the presence of a polymerase, a ligase, and a nucleoside triphosphate mixture containing at least one deoxynucleoside triphosphate allows the ligation of any pair of abutting hybridized oligonucleotides. Addition of a ligase results in two events required to generate a signal, extension and ligation. This provides a higher specificity and lower “noise” than methods using either extension or ligation alone and unlike the polymerase-based assays, this method enhances the specificity of the polymerase step by combining it with a second hybridization and a ligation step for a signal to be attached to the solid phase. 
     viii. Invasive Cleavage Reactions 
     Invasive cleavage reactions can be used to evaluate cellular DNA for a particular polymorphism. A technology called INVADER® employs such reactions (e.g., de Arruda et al., 2002; Stevens et al., 2003, which are incorporated by reference). Generally, there are three nucleic acid molecules: 1) an oligonucleotide upstream of the target site (“upstream oligo”), 2) a probe oligonucleotide covering the target site (“probe”), and 3) a single-stranded DNA with the target site (“target”). The upstream oligo and probe do not overlap but they contain contiguous sequences. The probe contains a donor fluorophore, such as fluoroscein, and an acceptor dye, such as Dabcyl. The nucleotide at the 3′ terminal end of the upstream oligo overlaps (“invades”) the first base pair of a probe-target duplex. Then the probe is cleaved by a structure-specific 5′ nuclease causing separation of the fluorophore/quencher pair, which increases the amount of fluorescence that can be detected. See Lu et al. (2004). In some cases, the assay is conducted on a solid-surface or in an array format. 
     ix. Other Methods To Detect SNPs 
     Several other specific methods for polymorphism detection and identification are presented below and may be used as such or with suitable modifications in conjunction with identifying polymorphisms of the SOD1 gene in the present invention. Several other methods are also described on the SNP web site of the NCBI on the World Wide Web at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/SNP, incorporated herein by reference. 
     In a particular embodiment, extended haplotypes may be determined at any given locus in a population, which allows one to identify exactly which SNPs will be redundant and which will be essential in association studies. The latter is referred to as ‘haplotype tag SNPs (htSNPs)’, markers that capture the haplotypes of a gene or a region of linkage disequilibrium. See Johnson et al. (2001) and Ke and Cardon (2003), each of which is incorporated herein by reference, for exemplary methods. 
     The VDA-assay utilizes PCR amplification of genomic segments by long PCR methods using TaKaRa LA Taq reagents and other standard reaction conditions. The long amplification can amplify DNA sizes of about 2,000-12,000 bp. Hybridization of products to variant detector array (VDA) can be performed by a Affymetrix High Throughput Screening Center and analyzed with computerized software. 
     A method called Chip Assay uses PCR amplification of genomic segments by standard or long PCR protocols. Hybridization products are analyzed by VDA, Halushka et al. (1999), incorporated herein by reference. SNPs are generally classified as “certain” or “likely” based on computer analysis of hybridization patterns. By comparison to alternative detection methods such as nucleotide sequencing, “certain” SNPs have been confirmed 100% of the time; and “likely” SNPs have been confirmed 73% of the time by this method. 
     Other methods simply involve PCR amplification following digestion with the relevant restriction enzyme. Yet others involve sequencing of purified PCR products from known genomic regions. 
     In yet another method, individual exons or overlapping fragments of large exons are PCR-amplified. Primers are designed from published or database sequences and PCR-amplification of genomic DNA is performed using the following conditions: 200 ng DNA template, 0.5 μM each primer, 80 μM each of dCTP, dATP, dTTP and dGTP, 5% formamide, 1.5 mM MgCl 2 , 0.5 U of Taq polymerase and 0.1 volume of the Taq buffer. Thermal cycling is performed and resulting PCR-products are analyzed by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, under a variety of conditions, e.g, 5 or 10% polyacrylamide gel with 15% urea, with or without 5% glycerol. Electrophoresis is performed overnight. PCR-products that show mobility shifts are reamplified and sequenced to identify nucleotide variation. 
     In a method called CGAP-GAI (DEMIGLACE), sequence and alignment data (from a PHRAP.ace file), quality scores for the sequence base calls (from PHRED quality files), distance information (from PHYLIP dnadist and neighbour programs) and base-calling data (from PHRED ‘-d’ switch) are loaded into memory. Sequences are aligned and examined for each vertical chunk (‘slice’) of the resulting assembly for disagreement. Any such slice is considered a candidate SNP (DEMIGLACE). A number of filters are used by DEMIGLACE to eliminate slices that are not likely to represent true polymorphisms. These include filters that: (i) exclude sequences in any given slice from SNP consideration where neighboring sequence quality scores drop 40% or more; (ii) exclude calls in which peak amplitude is below the fifteenth percentile of all base calls for that nucleotide type; (iii) disqualify regions of a sequence having a high number of disagreements with the consensus from participating in SNP calculations; (iv) removed from consideration any base call with an alternative call in which the peak takes up 25% or more of the area of the called peak; (v) exclude variations that occur in only one read direction. PHRED quality scores were converted into probability-of-error values for each nucleotide in the slice. Standard Baysian methods are used to calculate the posterior probability that there is evidence of nucleotide heterogeneity at a given location. 
     In a method called CU-RDF (RESEQ), PCR amplification is performed from DNA isolated from blood using specific primers for each SNP, and after typical cleanup protocols to remove unused primers and free nucleotides, direct sequencing using the same or nested primers. 
     In a method called DEBNICK (METHOD-B), a comparative analysis of clustered EST sequences is performed and confirmed by fluorescent-based DNA sequencing. In a related method, called DEBNICK (METHOD-C), comparative analysis of clustered EST sequences with phred quality &gt;20 at the site of the mismatch, average phred quality &gt;=20 over 5 bases 5′-FLANK and 3′ to the SNP, no mismatches in 5 bases 5′ and 3′ to the SNP, at least two occurrences of each allele is performed and confirmed by examining traces. 
     In a method identified by ERO (RESEQ), new primers sets are designed for electronically published STSs and used to amplify DNA from 10 different mouse strains. The amplification product from each strain is then gel purified and sequenced using a standard dideoxy, cycle sequencing technique with  33 P-labeled terminators. All the ddATP terminated reactions are then loaded in adjacent lanes of a sequencing gel followed by all of the ddGTP reactions and so on. SNPs are identified by visually scanning the radiographs. 
     In another method identified as ERO (RESEQ-HT), new primers sets are designed for electronically published murine DNA sequences and used to amplify DNA from 10 different mouse strains. The amplification product from each strain is prepared for sequencing by treating with Exonuclease I and Shrimp Alkaline Phosphatase. Sequencing is performed using ABI Prism Big Dye Terminator Ready Reaction Kit (Perkin-Elmer) and sequence samples are run on the 3700 DNA Analyzer (96 Capillary Sequencer). 
     FGU-CBT (SCA2-SNP) identifies a method where the region containing the SNP was PCR amplified using the primers SCA2-FP3 and SCA2—RP3. Approximately 100 ng of genomic DNA is amplified in a 50 ml reaction volume containing a final concentration of 5 mM Tris, 25 mM KCl, 0.75 mM MgCl 2 , 0.05% gelatin, 20 pmol of each primer and 0.5 U of Taq DNA polymerase. Samples are denatured, annealed and extended and the PCR product is purified from a band cut out of the agarose gel using, for example, the QIAquick gel extraction kit (Qiagen) and is sequenced using dye terminator chemistry on an ABI Prism 377 automated DNA sequencer with the PCR primers. 
     In a method identified as JBLACK (SEQ/RESTRICT), two independent PCR reactions are performed with genomic DNA. Products from the first reaction are analyzed by sequencing, indicating a unique FspI restriction site. The mutation is confirmed in the product of the second PCR reaction by digesting with Fsp I. 
     In a method described as KWOK(1), SNPs are identified by comparing high quality genomic sequence data from four randomly chosen individuals by direct DNA sequencing of PCR products with dye-terminator chemistry (see Kwok et al., 1996). In a related method identified as KWOK(2) SNPs are identified by comparing high quality genomic sequence data from overlapping large-insert clones such as bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) or P1-based artificial chromosomes (PACs). An STS containing this SNP is then developed and the existence of the SNP in various populations is confirmed by pooled DNA sequencing (see Taillon-Miller et al., 1998). In another similar method called KWOK(3), SNPs are identified by comparing high quality genomic sequence data from overlapping large-insert clones BACs or PACs. The SNPs found by this approach represent DNA sequence variations between the two donor chromosomes but the allele frequencies in the general population have not yet been determined. In method KWOK(5), SNPs are identified by comparing high quality genomic sequence data from a homozygous DNA sample and one or more pooled DNA samples by direct DNA sequencing of PCR products with dye-terminator chemistry. The STSs used are developed from sequence data found in publicly available databases. Specifically, these STSs are amplified by PCR against a complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) that has been shown to be homozygous at all loci and a pool of DNA samples from 80 CEPH parents (see Kwok et al., 1994). 
     In another such method, KWOK (OverlapSnpDetectionWithpolyBayes), SNPs are discovered by automated computer analysis of overlapping regions of large-insert human genomic clone sequences. For data acquisition, clone sequences are obtained directly from large-scale sequencing centers. This is necessary because base quality sequences are not present/available through GenBank. Raw data processing involves analyzed of clone sequences and accompanying base quality information for consistency. Finished (‘base perfect’, error rate lower than 1 in 10,000 bp) sequences with no associated base quality sequences are assigned a uniform base quality value of 40 (1 in 10,000 bp error rate). Draft sequences without base quality values are rejected. Processed sequences are entered into a local database. A version of each sequence with known human repeats masked is also stored. Repeat masking is performed with the program “MASKERAID.” Overlap detection: Putative overlaps are detected with the program “WUBLAST.” Several filtering steps followed in order to eliminate false overlap detection results, i.e. similarities between a pair of clone sequences that arise due to sequence duplication as opposed to true overlap. Total length of overlap, overall percent similarity, number of sequence differences between nucleotides with high base quality value “high-quality mismatches.” Results are also compared to results of restriction fragment mapping of genomic clones at Washington University Genome Sequencing Center, finisher&#39;s reports on overlaps, and results of the sequence contig building effort at the NCBI. SNP detection: Overlapping pairs of clone sequence are analyzed for candidate SNP sites with the ‘POLYBAYES’ SNP detection software. Sequence differences between the pair of sequences are scored for the probability of representing true sequence variation as opposed to sequencing error. This process requires the presence of base quality values for both sequences. High-scoring candidates are extracted. The search is restricted to substitution-type single base pair variations. Confidence score of candidate SNP is computed by the POLYBAYES software. 
     In method identified by KWOK (TaqMan assay), the TaqMan assay is used to determine genotypes for 90 random individuals. In method identified by KYUGEN(Q1), DNA samples of indicated populations are pooled and analyzed by PLACE-SSCP. Peak heights of each allele in the pooled analysis are corrected by those in a heterozygote, and are subsequently used for calculation of allele frequencies. Allele frequencies higher than 10% are reliably quantified by this method. Allele frequency=0 (zero) means that the allele was found among individuals, but the corresponding peak is not seen in the examination of pool. Allele frequency=0-0.1 indicates that minor alleles are detected in the pool but the peaks are too low to reliably quantify. 
     In yet another method identified as KYUGEN (Method1), PCR products are post-labeled with fluorescent dyes and analyzed by an automated capillary electrophoresis system under SSCP conditions (PLACE-SSCP). Four or more individual DNAs are analyzed with or without two pooled DNA (Japanese pool and CEPH parents pool) in a series of experiments. Alleles are identified by visual inspection. Individual DNAs with different genotypes are sequenced and SNPs identified. Allele frequencies are estimated from peak heights in the pooled samples after correction of signal bias using peak heights in heterozygotes. For the PCR primers are tagged to have 5′-ATT or 5′-GTT at their ends for post-labeling of both strands. Samples of DNA (10 ng/ul) are amplified in reaction mixtures containing the buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.3 or 9.3, 50 mM KCl, 2.0 mM MgCl 2 ), 0.25 μM of each primer, 200 μM of each dNTP, and 0.025 units/μl of Taq DNA polymerase premixed with anti-Taq antibody. The two strands of PCR products are differentially labeled with nucleotides modified with R10 and R6G by an exchange reaction of Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. The reaction is stopped by adding EDTA, and unincorporated nucleotides are dephosphorylated by adding calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. For the SSCP: an aliquot of fluorescently labeled PCR products and TAMRA-labeled internal markers are added to deionized formamide, and denatured. Electrophoresis is performed in a capillary using an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. Genescan softwares (P-E Biosystems) are used for data collection and data processing. DNA of individuals (two to eleven) including those who showed different genotypes on SSCP are subjected for direct sequencing using big-dye terminator chemistry, on ABI Prism 310 sequencers. Multiple sequence trace files obtained from ABI Prism 310 are processed and aligned by Phred/Phrap and viewed using Consed viewer. SNPs are identified by PolyPhred software and visual inspection. 
     In yet another method identified as KYUGEN (Method2), individuals with different genotypes are searched by denaturing HPLC (DHPLC) or PLACE-SSCP (Inazuka et al., 1997) and their sequences are determined to identify SNPs. PCR is performed with primers tagged with 5′-ATT or 5′-GTT at their ends for post-labeling of both strands. DHPLC analysis is carried out using the WAVE DNA fragment analysis system (Transgenomic). PCR products are injected into DNASep column, and separated under the conditions determined using WAVEMaker program (Transgenomic). The two strands of PCR products that are differentially labeled with nucleotides modified with R110 and R6G by an exchange reaction of Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. The reaction is stopped by adding EDTA, and unincorporated nucleotides are dephosphorylated by adding calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. SSCP followed by electrophoresis is performed in a capillary using an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. Genescan softwares (P-E Biosystems). DNA of individuals including those who showed different genotypes on DHPLC or SSCP are subjected for direct sequencing using big-dye terminator chemistry, on ABI Prism 310 sequencer. Multiple sequence trace files obtained from ABI Prism 310 are processed and aligned by Phred/Phrap and viewed using Consed viewer. SNPs are identified by PolyPhred software and visual inspection. Trace chromatogram data of EST sequences in Unigene are processed with PHRED. To identify likely SNPs, single base mismatches are reported from multiple sequence alignments produced by the programs PHRAP, BRO and POA for each Unigene cluster. BRO corrected possible misreported EST orientations, while POA identified and analyzed non-linear alignment structures indicative of gene mixing/chimeras that might produce spurious SNPs. Bayesian inference is used to weigh evidence for true polymorphism versus sequencing error, misalignment or ambiguity, misclustering or chimeric EST sequences, assessing data such as raw chromatogram height, sharpness, overlap and spacing; sequencing error rates; context-sensitivity; cDNA library origin, etc. 
     In method identified as MARSHFIELD (Method-B), overlapping human DNA sequences which contained putative insertion/deletion polymorphisms are identified through searches of public databases. PCR primers which flanked each polymorphic site are selected from the consensus sequences. Primers are used to amplify individual or pooled human genomic DNA. Resulting PCR products are resolved on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel and a Phosphorlmager is used to estimate allele frequencies from DNA pools. 
     f. Linkage Disequilibrium 
     Polymorphisms in linkage disequilibrium with another polymorphism in which identification of one polymorphism is predictive of the identity of the linked polymorphism. “Linkage disequilibrium” (“LD” as used herein, though also referred to as “LED” in the art) refers to a situation where a particular combination of alleles (i.e., a variant form of a given gene) or polymorphisms at two loci appears more frequently than would be expected by chance. “Significant” as used in respect to linkage disequilibrium, as determined by one of skill in the art, is contemplated to be a statistical p or a value that may be 0.25 or 0.1 and may be 0.1, 0.05. 0.001, 0.00001 or less. The polymorphism at position 40 SOD1 protein may be determined by evaluating the nucleic acid sequence of a polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with the residue 40 polymorphism. The invention may be implemented in this manner with respect to one or more polymorphisms so as to allow haplotype analysis. “Haplotype” is used according to its plain and ordinary meaning to one skilled in the art. It refers to a collective genotype of two or more alleles or polymorphisms along one of the homologous chromosomes. 
     B. Evaluating the Protein 
     Alternatively, polymorphic variation can be determined by any method that detects an amino acid variation. The invention should not be limited by any particular method for achieving this. For example, a sample of fluid or tissue may be obtained from an individual and the amino acid at position 40 of the SOD1 protein is determined. Such detection can be by various methods including antibody based assays, (Western blots, ELISA) or amino acid analysis (high pressure liquid chromatography or mass spectroscopy) could be used that would detect whether the protein has Arg or Gly. 
     Therefore, in certain embodiments, the present invention concerns compositions comprising at least one proteinaceous molecule, such as a SOD1 protein or an protein that binds SOD1 protein, such as an antibody. As used herein, a “proteinaceous molecule,” “proteinaceous composition,” “proteinaceous compound,” “proteinaceous chain” or “proteinaceous material” generally refers, but is not limited to, a protein of greater than about 200 amino acids or the full length endogenous sequence translated from a gene; a polypeptide of greater than about 100 amino acids; and/or a peptide of from about 3 to about 100 amino acids. All the “proteinaceous” terms described above may be used interchangeably herein. 
     Proteinaceous compositions may be made by any technique known to those of skill in the art, including the expression of proteins, polypeptides or peptides through standard molecular biological techniques, the isolation of proteinaceous compounds from natural sources, or the chemical synthesis of proteinaceous materials. The nucleotide and protein, polypeptide and peptide sequences for various genes have been previously disclosed, and may be found at computerized databases known to those of ordinary skill in the art. One such database is the National Center for Biotechnology Information&#39;s Genbank and GenPept databases (the world wide web at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The coding regions for these known genes may be amplified and/or expressed using the techniques disclosed herein or as would be know to those of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, various commercial preparations of proteins, polypeptides and peptides are known to those of skill in the art. 
     1. Protein Purification 
     It may be desirable to purify SOD1 from a sample or purify a protein that binds SOD1, such as an antibody. Such techniques are widely employed and the invention is not intended to be limited with respect to protein purification. Protein purification techniques are well known to those of skill in the art. These techniques involve, at one level, the crude fractionation of the cellular milieu to polypeptide and non-polypeptide fractions. Having separated the polypeptide from other proteins, the polypeptide of interest may be further purified using chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques to achieve partial or complete purification (or purification to homogeneity). Analytical methods particularly suited to the preparation of a pure peptide are ion-exchange chromatography, exclusion chromatography; polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; isoelectric focusing. A particularly efficient method of purifying peptides is fast protein liquid chromatography or even HPLC. 
     Certain aspects of the present invention may concern the purification, and in particular embodiments, the substantial purification, of an encoded protein or peptide. The term “purified protein or peptide” as used herein, is intended to refer to a composition, isolatable from other components, wherein the protein or peptide is purified to any degree relative to its naturally-obtainable state. A purified protein or peptide therefore also refers to a protein or peptide, free from the environment in which it may naturally occur. 
     Generally, “purified” will refer to a protein or peptide composition that has been subjected to fractionation to remove various other components, and which composition substantially retains its expressed biological activity. Where the term “substantially purified” is used, this designation will refer to a composition in which the protein or peptide forms the major component of the composition, such as constituting about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 95% or more of the proteins in the composition. 
     Various methods for quantifying the degree of purification of the protein or peptide will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. These include, for example, determining the specific activity of an active fraction, or assessing the amount of polypeptides within a fraction by SDS/PAGE analysis. A preferred method for assessing the purity of a fraction is to calculate the specific activity of the fraction, to compare it to the specific activity of the initial extract, and to thus calculate the degree of purity, herein assessed by a “-fold purification number.” The actual units used to represent the amount of activity will, of course, be dependent upon the particular assay technique chosen to follow the purification and whether or not the expressed protein or peptide exhibits a detectable activity. 
     A variety of techniques suitable for use in protein purification will be well known to those of skill in the art. These include, for example, precipitation with ammonium sulfate, PEG, antibodies and the like or by heat denaturation, followed by centrifugation; chromatography steps such as ion exchange, gel filtration, reverse phase, hydroxylapatite and affinity chromatography; isoelectric focusing; gel electrophoresis; and combinations of such and other techniques. As is generally known in the art, it is believed that the order of conducting the various purification steps may be changed, or that certain steps may be omitted, and still result in a suitable method for the preparation of a substantially purified protein or peptide. 
     There is no general requirement that the protein or peptide always be provided in their most purified state. Indeed, it is contemplated that less substantially purified products will have utility in certain embodiments. Partial purification may be accomplished by using fewer purification steps in combination, or by utilizing different forms of the same general purification scheme. For example, it is appreciated that a cation-exchange column chromatography performed utilizing an HPLC apparatus will generally result in a greater “-fold” purification than the same technique utilizing a low pressure chromatography system. Methods exhibiting a lower degree of relative purification may have advantages in total recovery of protein product, or in maintaining the activity of an expressed protein. 
     It is known that the migration of a polypeptide can vary, sometimes significantly, with different conditions of SDS/PAGE (Capaldi et al., 1977). It will therefore be appreciated that under differing electrophoresis conditions, the apparent molecular weights of purified or partially purified expression products may vary. 
     High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is characterized by a very rapid separation with extraordinary resolution of peaks. This is achieved by the use of very fine particles and high pressure to maintain an adequate flow rate. Separation can be accomplished in a matter of minutes, or at most an hour. Moreover, only a very small volume of the sample is needed because the particles are so small and close-packed that the void volume is a very small fraction of the bed volume. Also, the concentration of the sample need not be very great because the bands are so narrow that there is very little dilution of the sample. 
     Gel chromatography, or molecular sieve chromatography, is a special type of partition chromatography that is based on molecular size. The theory behind gel chromatography is that the column, which is prepared with tiny particles of an inert substance that contain small pores, separates larger molecules from smaller molecules as they pass through or around the pores, depending on their size. As long as the material of which the particles are made does not adsorb the molecules, the sole factor determining rate of flow is the size. Hence, molecules are eluted from the column in decreasing size, so long as the shape is relatively constant. Gel chromatography is unsurpassed for separating molecules of different size because separation is independent of all other factors such as pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc. There also is virtually no adsorption, less zone spreading and the elution volume is related in a simple matter to molecular weight. 
     Affinity Chromatography is a chromatographic procedure that relies on the specific affinity between a substance to be isolated and a molecule that it can specifically bind to. This is a receptor-ligand type interaction. The column material is synthesized by covalently coupling one of the binding partners to an insoluble matrix. The column material is then able to specifically adsorb the substance from the solution. Elution occurs by changing the conditions to those in which binding will not occur (e.g., alter pH, ionic strength, and temperature). 
     A particular type of affinity chromatography useful in the purification of carbohydrate containing compounds is lectin affinity chromatography. Lectins are a class of substances that bind to a variety of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Lectins are usually coupled to agarose by cyanogen bromide. Conconavalin A coupled to Sepharose was the first material of this sort to be used and has been widely used in the isolation of polysaccharides and glycoproteins other lectins that have been include lentil lectin, wheat germ agglutinin which has been useful in the purification of N-acetyl glucosaminyl residues and  Helix pomatia  lectin. Lectins themselves are purified using affinity chromatography with carbohydrate ligands. Lactose has been used to purify lectins from castor bean and peanuts; maltose has been useful in extracting lectins from lentils and jack bean; N-acetyl-D galactosamine is used for purifying lectins from soybean; N-acetyl glucosaminyl binds to lectins from wheat germ; D-galactosamine has been used in obtaining lectins from clams and L-fucose will bind to lectins from lotus. 
     The matrix should be a substance that itself does not adsorb molecules to any significant extent and that has a broad range of chemical, physical and thermal stability. The ligand should be coupled in such a way as to not affect its binding properties. The ligand also should provide relatively tight binding. And it should be possible to elute the substance without destroying the sample or the ligand. One of the most common forms of affinity chromatography is immunoaffinity chromatography. The generation of antibodies that would be suitable for use in accord with the present invention is discussed below. 
     2. Antibodies 
     Another embodiment of the present invention are antibodies, in some cases, a human monoclonal antibody immunoreactive with the polypeptide sequence of canine SOD1. It is understood that antibodies can be used for detecting SOD1, particularly a SOD1 that is the result of a particular polymorphism. It is contemplated that antibodies particularly useful in the context of the present invention are those that differentially bind a SOD1 protein with either an E or K residue and position 40 so as to distinguish between the two populations. 
     As used herein, the term “antibody” is intended to refer broadly to any immunologic binding agent such as IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. Generally, IgG and/or IgM are preferred because they are the most common antibodies in the physiological situation and because they are most easily made in a laboratory setting. 
     The term “antibody” is used to refer to any antibody-like molecule that has an antigen binding region, and includes antibody fragments such as Fab′, Fab, F(ab′) 2 , single domain antibodies (DABs), Fv, scFv (single chain Fv), and the like. The techniques for preparing and using various antibody-based constructs and fragments are well known in the art. Means for preparing and characterizing antibodies are also well known in the art (see, e.g., Harlow et al., 1988; incorporated herein by reference). 
     a. Antibody Generation 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention involves antibodies. For example, all or part of a monoclonal may be used in determining the amino acid at position 389. As detailed above, in addition to antibodies generated against full length proteins, antibodies also may be generated in response to smaller constructs comprising epitopic core regions, including wild-type and mutant epitopes. The techniques for preparing and using various antibody-based constructs and fragments are well known in the art. Means for preparing and characterizing antibodies are also well known in the art (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, 1988; incorporated herein by reference). 
     Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are recognized to have certain advantages, e.g., reproducibility and large-scale production, and their use is generally preferred. The invention thus provides monoclonal antibodies of the human, murine, monkey, rat, hamster, rabbit and even chicken origin. 
     The methods for generating monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generally begin along the same lines as those for preparing polyclonal antibodies. Briefly, a polyclonal antibody may be prepared by immunizing an animal with an immunogenic polypeptide composition in accordance with the present invention and collecting antisera from that immunized animal. Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present invention, serum is collected from persons who may have been exposed to a particular antigen. Exposure to a particular antigen may occur a work environment, such that those persons have been occupationally exposed to a particular antigen and have developed polyclonal antibodies to a peptide, polypeptide, or protein. In some embodiments of the invention polyclonal serum from occupationally exposed persons is used to identify antigenic regions in the gelonin toxin through the use of immunodetection methods. 
     A wide range of animal species can be used for the production of antisera. Typically the animal used for production of antisera is a rabbit, a mouse, a rat, a hamster, a guinea pig or a goat. Because of the relatively large blood volume of rabbits, a rabbit is a preferred choice for production of polyclonal antibodies. 
     As is well known in the art, a given composition may vary in its immunogenicity. It is often necessary therefore to boost the host immune system, as may be achieved by coupling a peptide or polypeptide immunogen to a carrier. Exemplary and preferred carriers are keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Other albumins such as ovalbumin, mouse serum albumin or rabbit serum albumin also can be used as carriers. Means for conjugating a polypeptide to a carrier protein are well known in the art and include glutaraldehyde, m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, carbodiimide and bis-biazotized benzidine. 
     As also well known in the art, the immunogenicity of a particular immunogen composition can be enhanced by the use of non-specific stimulators of the immune response, known as adjuvants. Suitable molecule adjuvants include all acceptable immunostimulatory compounds, such as cytokines, toxins or synthetic compositions. 
     Adjuvants that may be used include IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-12, γ-interferon, GMCSP, BCG, aluminum hydroxide, MDP compounds, such as thur-MDP and nor-MDP, CGP (MTP-PE), lipid A, and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL). RIBI, which contains three components extracted from bacteria, MPL, trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and cell wall skeleton (CWS) in a 2% squalene/Tween 80 emulsion also is contemplated. MHC antigens may even be used. Exemplary, often preferred adjuvants include complete Freund&#39;s adjuvant (a non-specific stimulator of the immune response containing killed  Mycobacterium tuberculosis ), incomplete Freund&#39;s adjuvants and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. 
     In addition to adjuvants, it may be desirable to coadminister biologic response modifiers (BRM), which have been shown to upregulate T cell immunity or downregulate suppressor cell activity. Such BRMs include, but are not limited to, Cimetidine (CIM; 1200 mg/d) (Smith/Kline, PA); low-dose Cyclophosphamide (CYP; 300 mg/m 2 ) (Johnson/Mead, NJ), cytokines such as γ-interferon, IL-2, or IL-112 or genes encoding proteins involved in immune helper functions, such as B-7. 
     The amount of immunogen composition used in the production of polyclonal antibodies varies upon the nature of the immunogen as well as the animal used for immunization. A variety of routes can be used to administer the immunogen (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intravenous and intraperitoneal). The production of polyclonal antibodies may be monitored by sampling blood of the immunized animal at various points following immunization. 
     A second, booster injection also may be given. The process of boosting and titering is repeated until a suitable titer is achieved. When a desired level of immunogenicity is obtained, the immunized animal can be bled and the serum isolated and stored, and/or the animal can be used to generate mAbs. 
     mAbs may be readily prepared through use of well-known techniques, such as those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,265, incorporated herein by reference. Typically, this technique involves immunizing a suitable animal with a selected immunogen composition, e.g., a purified or partially purified polypeptide, peptide or domain, be it a wild-type or mutant composition. The immunizing composition is administered in a manner effective to stimulate antibody producing cells. 
     mAbs may be further purified, if desired, using filtration, centrifugation and various chromatographic methods such as HPLC or affinity chromatography. Fragments of the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be obtained from the monoclonal antibodies so produced by methods which include digestion with enzymes, such as pepsin or papain, and/or by cleavage of disulfide bonds by chemical reduction. Alternatively, monoclonal antibody fragments encompassed by the present invention can be synthesized using an automated peptide synthesizer. 
     It also is contemplated that a molecular cloning approach may be used to generate mAbs. For this, combinatorial immunoglobulin phagemid libraries are prepared from RNA isolated from the spleen of the immunized animal, and phagemids expressing appropriate antibodies are selected by panning using cells expressing the antigen and control cells. The advantages of this approach over conventional hybridoma techniques are that approximately 10 4  times as many antibodies can be produced and screened in a single round, and that new specificities are generated by H and L chain combination which further increases the chance of finding appropriate antibodies. 
     b. Immunodetection Methods 
     As discussed, in some embodiments, the present invention concerns immunodetection methods for binding, purifying, removing, determining, and/or otherwise detecting biological components such as antigenic regions on polypeptides and peptides. The immunodetection methods of the present invention can be used to identify antigenic regions of a peptide, polypeptide, or protein that has therapeutic implications, particularly in reducing the immunogenicity or antigenicity of the peptide, polypeptide, or protein in a target subject. 
     Immunodetection methods include enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunoradiometric assay, fluoroimmunoassay, chemiluminescent assay, bioluminescent assay, and Western blot, though several others are well known to those of ordinary skill. The steps of various useful immunodetection methods have been described in the scientific literature, such as, e.g., Doolittle et al., 1999; Gulbis et al., 1993; De Jager et al., 1993; and Nakamura et al., 1987, each incorporated herein by reference. 
     In general, the immunobinding methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing a protein, polypeptide and/or peptide, and contacting the sample with a first antibody, monoclonal or polyclonal, in accordance with the present invention, as the case may be, under conditions effective to allow the formation of immunocomplexes. 
     These methods include methods for purifying a protein, polypeptide and/or peptide from organelle, cell, tissue or organism&#39;s samples. In these instances, the antibody removes the antigenic protein, polypeptide and/or peptide component from a sample. The antibody will preferably be linked to a solid support, such as in the form of a column matrix, and the sample suspected of containing the protein, polypeptide and/or peptide antigenic component will be applied to the immobilized antibody. The unwanted components will be washed from the column, leaving the antigen immunocomplexed to the immobilized antibody to be eluted. 
     The immunobinding methods also include methods for detecting and quantifying the amount of an antigen component in a sample and the detection and quantification of any immune complexes formed during the binding process. Here, one would obtain a sample suspected of containing an antigen or antigenic domain, and contact the sample with an antibody against the antigen or antigenic domain, and then detect and quantify the amount of immune complexes formed under the specific conditions. 
     In terms of antigen detection, the biological sample analyzed may be any sample that is suspected of containing an antigen or antigenic domain, such as, for example, a tissue section or specimen, a homogenized tissue extract, a cell, an organelle, separated and/or purified forms of any of the above antigen-containing compositions, or even any biological fluid that comes into contact with the cell or tissue, including blood and/or serum. 
     Contacting the chosen biological sample with the antibody under effective conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of immune complexes (primary immune complexes) is generally a matter of simply adding the antibody composition to the sample and incubating the mixture for a period of time long enough for the antibodies to form immune complexes with, i.e., to bind to, any antigens present. After this time, the sample-antibody composition, such as a tissue section, ELISA plate, dot blot or western blot, will generally be washed to remove any non-specifically bound antibody species, allowing only those antibodies specifically bound within the primary immune complexes to be detected. 
     In general, the detection of immunocomplex formation is well known in the art and may be achieved through the application of numerous approaches. These methods are generally based upon the detection of a label or marker, such as any of those radioactive, fluorescent, biological and enzymatic tags. U.S. patents concerning the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149 and 4,366,241, each incorporated herein by reference. Of course, one may find additional advantages through the use of a secondary binding ligand such as a second antibody and/or a biotin/avidin ligand binding arrangement, as is known in the art. 
     The antibody employed in the detection may itself be linked to a detectable label, wherein one would then simply detect this label, thereby allowing the amount of the primary immune complexes in the composition to be determined. Alternatively, the first antibody that becomes bound within the primary immune complexes may be detected by means of a second binding ligand that has binding affinity for the antibody. In these cases, the second binding ligand may be linked to a detectable label. The second binding ligand is itself often an antibody, which may thus be termed a “secondary” antibody. The primary immune complexes are contacted with the labeled, secondary binding ligand, or antibody, under effective conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of secondary immune complexes. The secondary immune complexes are then generally washed to remove any non-specifically bound labeled secondary antibodies or ligands, and the remaining label in the secondary immune complexes is then detected. 
     Further methods include the detection of primary immune complexes by a two step approach. A second binding ligand, such as an antibody, that has binding affinity for the antibody is used to form secondary immune complexes, as described above. After washing, the secondary immune complexes are contacted with a third binding ligand or antibody that has binding affinity for the second antibody, again under effective conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of immune complexes (tertiary immune complexes). The third ligand or antibody is linked to a detectable label, allowing detection of the tertiary immune complexes thus formed. This system may provide for signal amplification if this is desired. 
     One method of immunodetection designed by Charles Cantor uses two different antibodies. A first step biotinylated, monoclonal or polyclonal antibody is used to detect the target antigen(s), and a second step antibody is then used to detect the biotin attached to the complexed biotin. In that method the sample to be tested is first incubated in a solution containing the first step antibody. If the target antigen is present, some of the antibody binds to the antigen to form a biotinylated antibody/antigen complex. The antibody/antigen complex is then amplified by incubation in successive solutions of streptavidin (or avidin), biotinylated DNA, and/or complementary biotinylated DNA, with each step adding additional biotin sites to the antibody/antigen complex. The amplification steps are repeated until a suitable level of amplification is achieved, at which point the sample is incubated in a solution containing the second step antibody against biotin. This second step antibody is labeled, as for example with an enzyme that can be used to detect the presence of the antibody/antigen complex by histoenzymology using a chromogen substrate. With suitable amplification, a conjugate can be produced which is macroscopically visible. 
     Another known method of immunodetection takes advantage of the immuno-PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) methodology. The PCR method is similar to the Cantor method up to the incubation with biotinylated DNA, however, instead of using multiple rounds of streptavidin and biotinylated DNA incubation, the DNA/biotin/streptavidin/antibody complex is washed out with a low pH or high salt buffer that releases the antibody. The resulting wash solution is then used to carry out a PCR reaction with suitable primers with appropriate controls. At least in theory, the enormous amplification capability and specificity of PCR can be utilized to detect a single antigen molecule. 
     i. ELISAs 
     As detailed above, immunoassays, in their most simple and/or direct sense, are binding assays. Certain preferred immunoassays are the various types of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and/or radioimmunoassays (RIA) known in the art. Immunohistochemical detection using tissue sections is also particularly useful. However, it will be readily appreciated that detection is not limited to such techniques, and/or western blotting, dot blotting, FACS analyses, and/or the like may also be used. 
     In one exemplary ELISA, antibodies are immobilized onto a selected surface exhibiting protein affinity, such as a well in a polystyrene microtiter plate. Then, a test composition suspected of containing the antigen, such as a clinical sample, is added to the wells. After binding and/or washing to remove non-specifically bound immune complexes, the bound antigen may be detected. Detection is generally achieved by the addition of another antibody that is linked to a detectable label. This type of ELISA is a simple “sandwich ELISA.” Detection may also be achieved by the addition of a second antibody, followed by the addition of a third antibody that has binding affinity for the second antibody, with the third antibody being linked to a detectable label. The ELISA may be based on differential binding of an antibody to a protein with Arg389 versus Gly389. 
     In another exemplary ELISA, the samples suspected of containing the antigen are immobilized onto the well surface and/or then contacted with antibodies. After binding and/or washing to remove non-specifically bound immune complexes, the bound anti-antibodies are detected. Where the initial antibodies are linked to a detectable label, the immune complexes may be detected directly. Again, the immune complexes may be detected using a second antibody that has binding affinity for the first antibody, with the second antibody being linked to a detectable label. 
     Another ELISA in which the antigens are immobilized, involves the use of antibody competition in the detection. In this ELISA, labeled antibodies against an antigen are added to the wells, allowed to bind, and/or detected by means of their label. The amount of an antigen in an unknown sample is then determined by mixing the sample with the labeled antibodies against the antigen during incubation with coated wells. The presence of an antigen in the sample acts to reduce the amount of antibody against the antigen available for binding to the well and thus reduces the ultimate signal. This is also appropriate for detecting antibodies against an antigen in an unknown sample, where the unlabeled antibodies bind to the antigen-coated wells and also reduces the amount of antigen available to bind the labeled antibodies. 
     Irrespective of the format employed, ELISAs have certain features in common, such as coating, incubating and binding, washing to remove non-specifically bound species, and detecting the bound immune complexes. These are described below. 
     In coating a plate with either antigen or antibody, one will generally incubate the wells of the plate with a solution of the antigen or antibody, either overnight or for a specified period of hours. The wells of the plate will then be washed to remove incompletely adsorbed material. Any remaining available surfaces of the wells are then “coated” with a nonspecific protein that is antigenically neutral with regard to the test antisera. These include bovine serum albumin (BSA), casein or solutions of milk powder. The coating allows for blocking of nonspecific adsorption sites on the immobilizing surface and thus reduces the background caused by nonspecific binding of antisera onto the surface. 
     In ELISAs, it is probably more customary to use a secondary or tertiary detection means rather than a direct procedure. Thus, after binding of a protein or antibody to the well, coating with a non-reactive material to reduce background, and washing to remove unbound material, the immobilizing surface is contacted with the biological sample to be tested under conditions effective to allow immune complex (antigen/antibody) formation. Detection of the immune complex then requires a labeled secondary binding ligand or antibody, and a secondary binding ligand or antibody in conjunction with a labeled tertiary antibody or a third binding ligand. 
     “Under conditions effective to allow immune complex (antigen/antibody) formation” means that the conditions preferably include diluting the antigens and/or antibodies with solutions such as BSA, bovine gamma globulin (BGG) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/Tween. These added agents also tend to assist in the reduction of nonspecific background. 
     The “suitable” conditions also mean that the incubation is at a temperature or for a period of time sufficient to allow effective binding. Incubation steps are typically from about 1 to 2 to 4 hours or so, at temperatures preferably on the order of 25° C. to 27° C., or may be overnight at about 4° C. or so. 
     Following all incubation steps in an ELISA, the contacted surface is washed so as to remove non-complexed material. An example of a washing procedure includes washing with a solution such as PBS/Tween, or borate buffer. Following the formation of specific immune complexes between the test sample and the originally bound material, and subsequent washing, the occurrence of even minute amounts of immune complexes may be determined. 
     To provide a detecting means, the second or third antibody will have an associated label to allow detection. This may be an enzyme that will generate color development upon incubating with an appropriate chromogenic substrate. Thus, for example, one will desire to contact or incubate the first and second immune complex with a urease, glucose oxidase, alkaline phosphatase or hydrogen peroxidase-conjugated antibody for a period of time and under conditions that favor the development of further immune complex formation (e.g., incubation for 2 hours at room temperature in a PBS-containing solution such as PBS-Tween). 
     After incubation with the labeled antibody, and subsequent to washing to remove unbound material, the amount of label is quantified, e.g., by incubation with a chromogenic substrate such as urea, or bromocresol purple, or 2,2′-azino-di-(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), or H 2 O 2 , in the case of peroxidase as the enzyme label. Quantification is then achieved by measuring the degree of color generated, e.g., using a visible spectra spectrophotometer. 
     ii. Immunohistochemistry 
     The antibodies of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with both fresh-frozen and/or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks prepared for study by immunohistochemistry (IHC). For example, immunohistochemistry may be utilized to characterize Fortilin or to evaluate the amount Fortilin in a cell. The method of preparing tissue blocks from these particulate specimens has been successfully used in previous IHC studies of various prognostic factors, and/or is well known to those of skill in the art (Brown et al., 1990; Abbondanzo et al., 1990; Allred et al., 1990). 
     Briefly, frozen-sections may be prepared by rehydrating 50 mg of frozen “pulverized” tissue at room temperature in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in small plastic capsules; pelleting the particles by centrifugation; resuspending them in a viscous embedding medium (OCT); inverting the capsule and/or pelleting again by centrifugation; snap-freezing in −70° C. isopentane; cutting the plastic capsule and/or removing the frozen cylinder of tissue; securing the tissue cylinder on a cryostat microtome chuck; and/or cutting 25-50 serial sections. 
     Permanent-sections may be prepared by a similar method involving rehydration of the 50 mg sample in a plastic microfuge tube; pelleting; resuspending in 10% formalin for 4 hours fixation; washing/pelleting; resuspending in warm 2.5% agar; pelleting; cooling in ice water to harden the agar; removing the tissue/agar block from the tube; infiltrating and/or embedding the block in paraffin; and/or cutting up to 50 serial permanent sections. 
     V. Examples 
     The following examples are included to further illustrate various aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques and/or compositions discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Example 1 
     Materials and Methods 
     Sources of Canine DNA Samples. Individual DNA samples from normal and DM-affected dogs were obtained from the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), DNA Repository (the world wide web at caninehealthinfo.org/), and from DNA collections at the University of Missouri, the Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania. The other-breeds control group consisted of 2 randomly selected and unrelated individuals from 60 dog breeds, in which DM is rarely, if ever, reported. 
     Diagnosis of DM. The DM cases involved privately owned dogs that were referred to one of the participating Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Depending on the availability of tissues and clinical information, diagnoses of DM were made on the basis of 4 sets of criteria of varying stringency. The inventors considered confirmation of DM by histopathology to be the most stringent criterion for DM diagnosis (stringency level 1); however, spinal cords were not available from all dogs in the study. The diagnoses of DM at stringency levels 2 and 3 were based on the presence of typical clinical signs and the absence of a compressive lesion detectable by MRI (level 2) or myelography (level 3). The least stringent diagnoses (level 4) were based solely on suggestive clinical signs, which included progressive upper motor neuron paresis and general proprioceptive ataxia. 
     Association Mapping. GWA analysis was undertaken by using the Affymetrix Canine Genome 2.0 Array “Platinum Panel” containing 49,663 SNP markers in 38 cases (diagnostic classification: score 1 n=21, 2 n=5, 3 n=2, 4 n=10) and 17 controls. SNP genotypes were obtained following the human 500K array protocol, but with a smaller hybridization volume to allow for the smaller surface area of the canine array as described elsewhere (Karlsson et al., 2007). Detailed information on the arrays is available at the world-wide-web at broad.mit.edu/node/456. Case-control GWA mapping was evaluated by using PLINK (Purcell et al., 2007), followed by the identification of a region of homozygosity in affected individuals based on SNP genotypes. Fine mapping was performed by using MassARRAY (Sequenom) assays for 63 SNPs in 207 samples from 5 breeds as previously described (Karlsson et al., 2007). Haplotype analysis was performed with Haploview (Barrett et al., 2005). The sources of samples used for fine mapping are identified in  FIG. 1C . 
     Resequencing and Genotyping. Exons 2 to 5 of canine SOD1 were resequenced after PCR amplification of genomic DNA from DM-affected and normal dogs. Oligonucleotide primers were designed from sequences flanking these exons from build 2.1 of the canine genome reference sequence (world-wide-web at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/mapview/map_search.cgi?taxid — 9615). Because exon 1 of SOD1 is not represented in build 2.1, the inventors used RT-PCR to amplify exon 1-containing RNA segments in total RNA extracted from blood from DM-affected and normal dogs with thePAXgeneBloodRNAKit (Qiagen). The RT-PCR primers were designed from the consensus sequence produced from an alignment of all canine exon 1-containing expressed sequence tags in GenBank. Purified PCR and RT-PCR amplicons were sequenced with an Applied Biosystems 3730x1 DNA analyzer. Some of the canine DNA samples were genotyped at the SOD1:c. 118G&gt;A locus by pyrosequencing with a PSQ 96 Pyrosequencer. The PCR primers were 5′-biotinyl-AGTGGGCCTGTTGTGGTATCA with CTCCAAACTGATGGACGTGGAAT, and AATCCATGCTCGCCTT was used for the sequencing primer. Genotype distributions for affected and control samples were compared by using 2×2 contingency tables, in which A/G and G/G genotypes were pooled under the assumption of autosomal recessive inheritance. A TaqMan® allelic discrimination assay was used to genotype other canine DNA samples. The PCR primer sequences for this assay were GTGGGCCTGTTGTGGTATCA with CAAACTGATGGACGTGGAATCC and the competing fluorescent labeled probe sequences were VIC-CTCGCCTTTAGTCAGC (mutant) and FAM-CGCCTTCAGTCAGC. Fisher&#39;s exact 1-tailed test was used to test for the independence of the genotype classes between the case and control samples. 
     Histopathology, Immunohistopathology, and Electrodiagnostic Testing. Standard procedures were used for histopathology, immunohistopathology, and electrodiagnostic testing. Samples used for SOD1 immunohistochemistry were coded, and micrographs of spinal cord motor neurons were obtained in a masked manner. A second masked evaluator classified the neurons in the micrographs according to the presence and appearance of SOD1-positive inclusions based on the following categories: well-defined dark staining clumps, well-defined light staining clumps, poorly defined light staining regions, and no staining or diffuse light staining similar to the background staining; 6 to 9 sections from each cord were examined. 
     Example 2 
     Results 
     Mapping the DM Locus and Identification of a SOD1 Missense Mutation. Genome-wide association (GWA) mapping of DM was performed with 38 cases and 17 controls older than 6 years of age (mean age=9.4 years) from the Pembroke Welsh corgi breed by using the Affymetrix Canine Genome 2.0 Array. The strongest association was detected on CFA31 (p raw =1×10 −5 ; p genome =0.18), with weaker signals on 4 other chromosomes, suggesting modifiers or population substructure ( FIG. 1A ). Within the associated CFA31 region, all affected dogs were homozygous for a common haplotype from 28.91 to 29.67 Mb (CanFam2.0), which contains 3 genes: SOD1, TIAM1, and SFRS15. Clinical similarities between DM and ALS made SOD1 a viable candidate gene. Resequencing SOD1 from normal and DM-affected dogs revealed a G to A transition in exon 2 that predicts an E40K missense mutation. The 55 corgi DNA samples were genotyped for the SOD1:c.118G&gt;A polymorphism. All 38 samples from affected corgis were homozygous for the A allele, whereas the 17-sample asymptomatic control group consisted of 10 A/A homozygotes, 6 A/G heterozygotes and 1 G/G homozygote. 
     To verify the localization of the DM mutation, the inventors fine mapped 90 SNPs across a 1.9-Mb region from 29.04 to 30.97 Mb in 5 breeds, which segregate for DM ( FIG. 1B ). Affected dogs from all 5 breeds share a 5-SNP haplotype (maximum 195 kB in size), which contains the E40K mutation ( FIG. 1C ). This haplotype is also present in dogs that do not have the mutation. No other SNP or haplotype in the region is both shared across all breeds and concordant with recessive inheritance. Thus, the significant proportion of A/A mutant homozygotes among the controls and the presence of E40K mutation on an ancestral haplotype still present in the population may explain the relatively weak GWA to this region. Nonetheless, the presented genetic data strongly links the E40K mutation with the disease. 
     Additional Genotyping Confirms an Association Between DM and Homozygosity for the SOD1 Missense Mutation. The Pembroke Welsh corgis used for GWA, plus an additional 64 Pembroke Welsh corgis and 418 representatives from 4 other breeds, were genotyped for the SOD1:c.118G&gt;A polymorphism. Across all breeds, 100 of the samples were from dogs diagnosed with DM; however, these diagnoses were not all based on equally stringent criteria (see Methods). Table 1 shows the distribution of genotypes for all 537 representatives of the 5 breeds by diagnostic class. Significant associations between the DM phenotype and homozygosity for the A allele were detected when all 5 affected breeds were jointly analyzed (P=2.93E-19) and when each breed was analyzed individually (Table 1). The frequency of the A allele in a separate “other-breeds” control group, consisting of samples from dog breeds in whichDMis rarely diagnosed, was significantly lower than in the controls from the affected breeds (Table 1). The 4 dogs in the study that were classified as affected, but were not A/A homozygotes, were all diagnosed by using the least stringent criteria and may be phenocopies. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Associations Between DM Phenotype and Homozygosity 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 DM 
                 DM 
                 DM 
                 Affected 
                 Other 
               
               
                   
                 DM 
                 Stringencies 
                 Stringencies 
                 Stringencies 
                 Breed 
                 Breed 
               
               
                   
                 Stringency 1 
                 1&amp;2 
                 1-3 
                 1-4 
                 Controls 
                 Controls 
               
               
                 Breed 
                 AA/AG/GG 
                 AA/AG/GG 
                 AA/AG/GG 
                 AA/AG/GG 
                 AA/AG/GG 
                 AA/AG/GG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Boxer 
                 9/0/0* 
                 10/0/0* 
                 12/0/0* 
                 22/0/0** 
                 86/57/14 
                 — 
               
               
                 Chesapeake Bay Retr. 
                 7/0/0** 
                 9/0/0** 
                 9/0/0** 
                 10/0/0** 
                 7/25/21 
                 — 
               
               
                 German Shepherd 
                 2/0/0* 
                 4/0/0** 
                 4/0/0** 
                 4/0/1** 
                 7/30/84 
                 — 
               
               
                 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 
                 25/0/0** 
                 30/0/0** 
                 35/0/0** 
                 50/1/1** 
                 44/14/9 
                 — 
               
               
                 Rhodesian Ridgeback 
                 3/0/0* 
                 6/0/0** 
                 6/0/0** 
                 10/1/0** 
                 4/15/21 
                 — 
               
               
                 All Affected Dogs 
                 46/0/0*** 
                 59/0/0*** 
                 66/0/0*** 
                 96/2/2*** 
                 148/141/148 
                 0/5/115*** 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Different than breed-specific controls at P &lt; 0.01 
               
               
                 **Different than breed-specific controls at P &lt; 0.001 
               
               
                 ***Different than all affected breed controls at P &lt; 0.00001 
               
               
                 DM Stringency 1 = Histopathologically confirmed 
               
               
                 DM Stringency 2 = MRI presumptive diagnosis 
               
               
                 DM Stringency 3 = Myelography presumptive diagnosis 
               
               
                 DM Stringency 4 = suggestive clinical signs for a presumptive diagnosis 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Dogs with DM Exhibit Symptoms and Histopathologic and Immunohistopathologic Lesions Similar to Those in ALS Patients. The diagnosis of DM was confirmed by histopathologic examination of spinal cord sections in 46 dogs. Affected dogs had lesions in the posterior and lateral columns ( FIGS. 2A-B ). Surviving spinal cord neurons from 7 DM-affected dogs and 10 similarly aged asymptomatic control dogs were examined by immunohistopathology. All 7 of the DM-affected dogs were A/A homozygotes, and all contained cytoplasmic inclusions, which, when stained with anti-SOD1 antibodies, appeared as well-defined dark clumps. In contrast, no staining or diffuse light staining similar to the background staining was found in cells in the spinal cords from all 5 of the control dogs with the G/G genotype and in 3 of the 5 A/G heterozygous controls. Intermediate levels of cytoplasmic staining with anti-SOD1 antibodies were observed in the spinal cords from the remaining 2 heterozygous control dogs ( FIGS. 3A-I ). 
     Although most dogs with DM are euthanized at an early stage of the disease when upper motor neuron pathology predominates, the owners of some dogs in the study elected to maintain their dogs until the disease was more advanced. Dogs with advanced DM exhibited clinical signs of lower motor neuron disease, including ascending flaccid tetraparesis, generalized muscle atrophy, and hyporeflexia in all limbs. One DM affected Pembroke Welsh corgi was euthanized 48 months after the onset of clinical signs due to swallowing difficulties, which suggests that the disease can progress to bulbar signs. In the early disease stage, no spontaneous activity was detected by electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction velocities were within normal limits. In the late disease stage, EMG revealed multifocal spontaneous activity in the distal appendicular musculature. Fibrillation potentials and sharp waves were the most common waveforms recorded. Compared with canine-specific reference ranges (Walker et al., 1979), compound muscle action potentials (M waves) recorded in the tibial and ulnar nerves showed temporal dispersion and decreases in amplitudes, and motor nerve conduction velocities were decreased (data not shown). Muscle specimens from dogs with advanced DM showed excessive variability in myofiber size with large and small groups of atrophic fibers typical of denervation ( FIG. 4A ). Peripheral nerve specimens from these dogs showed nerve fiber loss as indicated by axonal degeneration, endoneurial fibrosis, numerous inappropriately thinly myelinated fibers, and secondary demyelination ( FIG. 4C ). 
     Age-Related Incomplete Penetrance. Many of the 148 A/A homozygotes in the “affected-breeds” control group were younger when sampled than the typical age at onset of clinical signs of DM ( FIG. 5 ). Some of these dogs may develop DM when they grow older. Nonetheless, the considerable number of A/A homozygotes among the older affected-breed controls that exhibited noclinical signs of DM ( FIG. 5 ) indicates that the penetrance among A/A homozygotes is incomplete, possibly due to modifier loci, environmental factors, and/or because the A/A homozygotes die from other causes before the clinical signs become apparent. 
     To determine if the SOD1 A allele occurs in other breeds in addition to the 5 breeds that werde the subject of our early experiments, we genotyped over 6600 canine DNA samples selected from a collection of over 60,000 DNA samples held at the University of Missouri (Table 2). The A allele was detected in 57 of 147 breeds. Among the breeds in which the A allele was detected, allele frequencies varied from 90% in wire fox terriers to 1% in Labrador retrievers. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Frequencies of CDM-associated SOD1 allele in various dog breeds 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Allele 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Frequency 
               
               
                 Breed 
                 TOTAL 
                 Normal 
                 Carrier 
                 At Risk 
                 (%) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Fox Terrier - Wire 
                 39 
                 1 
                 6 
                 32 
                 90 
               
               
                 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 
                 626 
                 28 
                 173 
                 425 
                 81 
               
               
                 Boxer 
                 711 
                 84 
                 240 
                 387 
                 71 
               
               
                 hybrid/mix-breed 
                 44 
                 18 
                 5 
                 21 
                 53 
               
               
                 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 
                 11 
                 1 
                 9 
                 1 
                 50 
               
               
                 Dutch Shepherd 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 50 
               
               
                 American Water Spaniel 
                 47 
                 15 
                 21 
                 11 
                 46 
               
               
                 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 
                 553 
                 188 
                 235 
                 130 
                 45 
               
               
                 Bernese Mountain Dog 
                 38 
                 14 
                 17 
                 7 
                 41 
               
               
                 American Eskimo Dog 
                 10 
                 3 
                 6 
                 1 
                 40 
               
               
                 Pug 
                 13 
                 6 
                 4 
                 3 
                 38 
               
               
                 Kerry Blue Terrier 
                 153 
                 70 
                 54 
                 29 
                 37 
               
               
                 Canaan Dog 
                 113 
                 51 
                 50 
                 12 
                 33 
               
               
                 Rhodesian Ridgeback 
                 514 
                 237 
                 218 
                 59 
                 33 
               
               
                 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 
                 79 
                 36 
                 35 
                 8 
                 32 
               
               
                 German Shepherd Dog 
                 445 
                 247 
                 112 
                 86 
                 32 
               
               
                 Tibetan Terrier 
                 43 
                 23 
                 15 
                 5 
                 29 
               
               
                 Bloodhound 
                 32 
                 16 
                 14 
                 2 
                 28 
               
               
                 Welsh Terrier 
                 52 
                 29 
                 18 
                 5 
                 27 
               
               
                 French Bulldog 
                 33 
                 21 
                 9 
                 3 
                 23 
               
               
                 Kuvasz 
                 60 
                 39 
                 16 
                 5 
                 22 
               
               
                 Chow Chow 
                 22 
                 14 
                 7 
                 1 
                 20 
               
               
                 Chinese Crested 
                 30 
                 19 
                 11 
                 0 
                 18 
               
               
                 Irish Setter 
                 31 
                 21 
                 9 
                 1 
                 18 
               
               
                 Australian Terrier 
                 3 
                 2 
                 1 
                 0 
                 17 
               
               
                 Airedale Terrier 
                 30 
                 21 
                 9 
                 0 
                 15 
               
               
                 Dalmatian 
                 33 
                 32 
                 1 
                 0 
                 15 
               
               
                 Sealyham Terrier 
                 30 
                 21 
                 9 
                 0 
                 15 
               
               
                 Pomeranian 
                 29 
                 22 
                 6 
                 1 
                 14 
               
               
                 Jack Russell Terrier 
                 27 
                 21 
                 5 
                 1 
                 13 
               
               
                 Mastiff (English Mastiff) 
                 31 
                 24 
                 6 
                 1 
                 13 
               
               
                 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 
                 32 
                 25 
                 6 
                 1 
                 13 
               
               
                 Australian Shepherd 
                 34 
                 27 
                 6 
                 1 
                 12 
               
               
                 Belgian Sheepdog 
                 4 
                 3 
                 1 
                 0 
                 12 
               
               
                 Collie 
                 29 
                 22 
                 7 
                 0 
                 12 
               
               
                 English Springer Spaniel 
                 72 
                 56 
                 14 
                 2 
                 12 
               
               
                 Great Pyrenees 
                 26 
                 21 
                 4 
                 1 
                 12 
               
               
                 Border Collie 
                 28 
                 25 
                 1 
                 2 
                 9 
               
               
                 Shetland Sheepdog 
                 29 
                 24 
                 5 
                 0 
                 9 
               
               
                 Shih Tzu 
                 8 
                 3 
                 4 
                 1 
                 9 
               
               
                 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 
                 29 
                 24 
                 5 
                 0 
                 9 
               
               
                 Coton de Tulear 
                 30 
                 26 
                 4 
                 0 
                 7 
               
               
                 Harrier 
                 28 
                 24 
                 4 
                 0 
                 7 
               
               
                 English Shepherd 
                 27 
                 24 
                 3 
                 0 
                 6 
               
               
                 Finnish Lapphund 
                 31 
                 27 
                 4 
                 0 
                 6 
               
               
                 Poodle-Standard 
                 77 
                 70 
                 5 
                 2 
                 6 
               
               
                 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 
                 33 
                 31 
                 0 
                 2 
                 6 
               
               
                 Australian Cattle Dog 
                 46 
                 41 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 Beagle 
                 31 
                 28 
                 3 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 Clumber Spaniel 
                 33 
                 30 
                 3 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 Irish Terrier 
                 30 
                 27 
                 3 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 German Pinscher 
                 30 
                 28 
                 2 
                 0 
                 3 
               
               
                 Irish Wolfhound 
                 31 
                 29 
                 2 
                 0 
                 3 
               
               
                 Finnish Spitz 
                 32 
                 31 
                 1 
                 0 
                 2 
               
               
                 Keeshond 
                 29 
                 28 
                 1 
                 0 
                 2 
               
               
                 Rottweiler 
                 26 
                 25 
                 1 
                 0 
                 2 
               
               
                 Labrador Retriever 
                 59 
                 58 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
               
               
                 Afghan Hound 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Akita 
                 33 
                 33 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Alaskan Husky 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Alaskan Malamute 
                 36 
                 36 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 American Bulldog 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 American Foxhound 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 American Staffordshire Terrier 
                 6 
                 6 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Basenji 
                 33 
                 33 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Basset Hound 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Bearded Collie 
                 29 
                 29 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Beauceron 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Bedlington Terrier 
                 29 
                 29 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Belgian Malinois 
                 4 
                 4 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Bichon Frise 
                 9 
                 9 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Border Terrier 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Borzoi 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Boston Terrier 
                 6 
                 6 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Bouvier des Flandres 
                 45 
                 45 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Briard 
                 6 
                 6 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Brittany 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Bull Terrier 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Cairn Terrier 
                 15 
                 15 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Chinese Shar Pei 
                 26 
                 26 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Chinook 
                 26 
                 26 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Cocker Spaniel (American) 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Curly Coated Retriever 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Dachshund 
                 44 
                 44 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Dandie Dinmont Terrier 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Doberman Pinscher 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Dogue du Bordeaux 
                 6 
                 6 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 English Cocker Spaniel 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 English Foxhound 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 English Setter 
                 27 
                 27 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Field Spaniel 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Flat-Coated Retriever 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Fox Terrier - Smooth 
                 12 
                 12 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 German Shorthaired Pointer 
                 29 
                 29 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Giant Schnauzer 
                 32 
                 32 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Golden Retriever 
                 74 
                 72 
                 0 
                 2 
                 3 
               
               
                 Gordon Setter 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Great Dane 
                 27 
                 27 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 
                 36 
                 36 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Havanese 
                 11 
                 11 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Ibizan Hound 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Icelandic Sheepdog 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Irish Red &amp; White Setter 
                 13 
                 13 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Irish Water Spaniel 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Italian Greyhound 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Japanese Chin 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Leonberger 
                 31 
                 31 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Lhasa Apso 
                 17 
                 17 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Lowchen 
                 33 
                 33 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Manchester Terrier (Toy &amp; Std) 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Miniature Bull Terrier 
                 32 
                 32 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Miniature Pinscher 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Miniature Schnauzer 
                 3 
                 3 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Neapolitan Mastiff 
                 12 
                 12 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Newfoundland 
                 25 
                 25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Norwegian Lundehund 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Norwich Terrier 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Old English Sheepdog 
                 34 
                 34 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Otterhound 
                 29 
                 29 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Papillon 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 
                 32 
                 32 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Parson Russell Terrier 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Pharaoh Hound 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Pointer 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Portuguese Water Dog 
                 33 
                 33 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Pyrenean Shepherd 
                 29 
                 29 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Saint Bernard 
                 27 
                 27 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Saluki 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Samoyed 
                 30 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Schipperke 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Scottish Deerhound 
                 36 
                 36 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Scottish Terrier 
                 27 
                 27 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Shiba Inu 
                 8 
                 8 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Siberian Husky 
                 54 
                 54 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Spinone Italiano 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Standard Schnauzer 
                 25 
                 25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Sussex Spaniel 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Swedish Valhund 
                 3 
                 3 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Tibetan Mastiff 
                 10 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Tibetan Spaniel 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Toy Fox Terrier 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Vizsla 
                 28 
                 28 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Weimeraner 
                 29 
                 29 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Welsh Springer Spaniel 
                 32 
                 32 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 West Highland White Terrier 
                 3 
                 3 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Whippet 
                 39 
                 39 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Totals 
                 6631 
                 3989 
                 1412 
                 1230 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 3 
     Discussion 
     So far the DM-associated A allele has been detected in 57 different dog breeds. The wide spread occurrence of the A allele in many unrelated dog breeds indicates that the A allele pre-dates the development of the various dog breeds. This indicates that the A allele is likely to occur to some extent in most or all dog breeds. Thus SOD1 genotyping tests are applicable to all dog breeds and to mixed breed dogs. 
     SOD1 functions as a homodimer which converts superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. Active sites in each subunit contain one copper ion and one zinc ion within an eight-stranded anti-parallel β-barrel (Tainer et al., 1982). Amino acid position 40 lies within a connecting loop between βstrands 3 and 4 (Green et al., 2002) which serves as the short Greek key connection between the two sets of β-strands that comprise the P-barrel (strands 1, 2, 3 and 6 and stands 4, 5, 7 and 8) (Boissinot et al., 1997). Amino acid position 40 of human SOD1 lies within a region that contains a cluster of missense mutations that are associated with human ALS (Deng et al., 1993; Valentine et al., 2005; Sandelin et al., 2007), including E40G at a position orthologous to the canine E40K mutation (Sandelin et al., 2007). Adjacent G41S and G41D mutations are believed to cause ALS by destabilizing both the SOD1 monomer and the dimerization interface (Lindberg et al., 2005). The human E40G mutation and many other ALS-associated SOD1 mutations reduce the net negative charge of the predicted protein product (Sandelin et al., 2007; Shaw et al., 2007). These SOD1 isoforms may be prone to the formation of toxic SOD1 aggregates because of reduced repulsive Coulombic forces, or because of increased interaction with anionic membrane surfaces (Sandelin et al., 2007; Shaw et al., 2007). Thus, the reduced net negative charge for canine SOD1 caused by the E40K mutation may be significant. A glutamate at a position corresponding to amino acid position 40 in canine SOD1 is conserved in 19 of 20 mammals identified in a Blastp query of the non-redundant protein sequences in the NCBI database (Table 3). The exception is equine SOD1 which, like the mutant canine allele, has a lysine at amino acid position 40. The inventors resequenced SOD1 exon 2 from five unrelated horses and confirmed that horses commonly have a lysine at this position (data not shown). This unusual lysine may be tolerated because of ameliorating amino acid substitutions elsewhere in equine SOD1. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The thoracic spinal cord in all DM affected dogs had bilateral regions of white matter sclerosis most prominent in the dorsal portion of the lateral funiculus lateral to the dorsal root entry zone. Few axons remained in the affected white matter. The sclerotic areas more darkly stained for GFAP than the surrounding white matter. There was a mild increase in the number of microglia in the affected tissue. Longitudinal sections of nerves had reduced axonal diameter and many axon sheaths appeared collapsed. Examined muscle specimens consisted mostly of fat and remaining muscle fibers were atrophic and somewhat angular. No inclusions were observed on light microscopy. However, the inventors found that many surviving spinal cord neurons from affected dogs accumulated cytoplasmic inclusions which were strongly stained by anti-SOD1 antibodies; whereas, only light and diffuse SOD1 staining was found in the spinal cords from age-matched control dogs. Light microscopic findings in spinal cords from affected dogs as well as clinical signs were comparable to the upper motor neuron-onset form of ALS. Furthermore, inclusions in the spinal cords from these dogs were similar to those found in ALS patients with SOD1 mutations and in transgenic hSOD1 m  rodent models. 
     DM appears to be an incompletely penetrant autosomal recessive disease; whereas, most human SOD1 mutations cause dominant forms of ALS. Nonetheless, the N90A SOD1 variant is associated with a recessively inherited form of ALS in some families but a dominantly inherited form of ALS in others (Andersen et al., 1996). Among the families segregating for the dominant form of ALS, patients with two copies of the SOD1 mutant generally have a much earlier age at disease onset than patients inheriting only a single copy (Hayward et al, 1998; Marucci et al., 2007). Furthermore, hSOD1 m  mice with higher transgene copy numbers exhibit earlier onset disease; and, the disease occurs much earlier in homozygous than heterozygous hSOD1 m  mice (Jonsson et al., 2006). In these examples, the onset of clinical signs was inversely related to the copy number of the mutant SOD1. With canine DM the age at onset for SOD1:c.118G&gt;A heterozygotes may exceed the normal canine life expectancy. In this case, the mode of inheritance would appear to be recessive even if the pathogenesis involves a gain of function. 
     The discovery that the E40K missense mutation is a major genetic risk factor underlying canine DM should enable dog breeders to use marker-based breeding to avoid producing future generations of dogs at risk for developing DM. Nonetheless, affected dogs born before the availability of a DM marker test will continue to develop clinical signs. Therefore, it will take at least a decade before marker-based breeding can substantially reduce the incidence of this late onset disease. In the mean time, many thousands of privately-owned affected dogs will continue to suffer from DM. It is hoped that future investigations of affected dogs will yield a better understanding of the disease processes underlying both canine DM and human ALS and will ultimately lead to therapeutic interventions of benefit to both human and canine patients. In this regard, a wide variety of potential therapeutic agents have been found to influence the age at onset and/or the rate of disease progression in hSOD1 m  mouse models; however, these agents have seldom performed well in human clinical trials (Benatar, 2007; Orrell et al., 2007). Compared to the hSOD1 m  mouse model, dogs with DM are more similar to humans in size, in the structure of their nervous system, and in the duration of the disease. In addition, they are unlikely to possess the very high levels of SOD1 expression produced by many of the hSOD1 m  mouse models. Thus, the results from clinical trials conducted with DM dogs may better predict the success of therapeutic interventions for treating ALS. 
     All of the compositions and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and methods, and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     VI. REFERENCES 
     The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
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