Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing the risk of a dog to develop canine atopic dermatitis. The methods comprise detecting in a sample of DNA obtained from a dog the presence or absence of at least one genetic marker, wherein said at least one genetic marker is located on dog (Canis familiaris) chromosome 27, said marker being associated with an increased risk of developing canine atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for determining whether or not a horse contains a Grey allele. For example, diagnostic methods such as nucleic acid-based detection methods and materials such as nucleic acid probes and primer pairs that can be used to determine whether or not a horse contains a duplication in intron 6 of STX17 nucleic acid are provided. This document also relates to methods and materials for treating a mammal having or being likely to develop cancer (e.g., benign, malignant, or metastatic cancer). For example, methods and materials for treating cancer in a mammal by administering an agent having the ability to reduce expression of an STX17 polypeptide and/or an NR4A polypeptide (e.g., an NR4A1, NR4A2, or NR4A3 polypeptide) in the mammal are provided.