Modifier of Copper Toxicosis

Copper toxicosis related to the ATP7A gene is a genetic trait that influences how copper is processed in dogs, specifically Labrador Retrievers. Copper toxicosis is a condition where copper accumulates in the liver, potentially causing damage and cirrhosis over time. This condition is primarily linked to mutations in the ATP7B gene, but other genes, including ATP7A, can also modify how copper is metabolized. The ATP7A gene mutation can decrease copper accumulation, acting as a protective factor for dogs that are also carriers of the ATP7B mutation. Male dogs who inherit only one copy of the APT7A gene tend to show more noticeable copper level reductions, while females need two copies for the same effect.