Interestingly, searching the STRING database with the 12 neddylation pathway associated candidate genes from the current study (Table 3) and with 14 genes (CYBA, MAPK14, MMP2, MMP9, NCF1, NCF2, NCF4, NOX3, NOXA1, NTN1, RAC1, RAC1, TRIO, VCAM1) highlighted in our previous studies on CHD on German Shepherds [13, 40] produced two gene clusters that shared 12 genes associated with Class I MHC mediated antigen processing & presentation (R-CFA-983169, https://version-11-0b.string-db.org/cgi/network?networkId=bPwtieGk6WuV, and Additional file 5). Here, VCAM1 is linked to coronary artery disorder.