小鼠15号染色体上脊髓重数量性状基因座的精细定位

目的以前的研究结果表明,控制小鼠脊髓重的一个数量性状基因座(QTL)位于15号染色体D15Mit158附近,跨度约30cM。为分离和确认脊髓重相关基因,本文对该QTL区域进行了精细定位。方法以高级互交系小鼠A/J×C57BL/6J(F4)为研究对象,选择脊髓重偏向两极的个体,在D15Mit158位点附近作高密度局部基因组扫描,用Map Manager QTX19软件对脊髓重与基因型进行连锁不平衡分析。结果在15号染色体D15Mit107附近出现了一个很强的连锁峰,LRS值为17.3(P=1.8×10-4),变异解释率为27%,LOD值达到3.75,可以认定为一主效QTL。该QTL跨度范围为3.2cM。另一个提示可能具有连锁关系的QTL位点在D15Mit28附近,LRS值为7.6(P=0.02),变异解释率为13%,跨度范围为5.0cM。结论控制小鼠脊髓重的D15Mit158区域实际上含有两个QTL,其中一个主效QTL位于15号染色体上宽约3.2cM的D15Mit107位点附近;另一个可能的QTL位于宽约5.0cM的D15Mit28附近。     

特异区段替换小鼠性发育表型的研究

目的了解性发育相关数量性状基因座(quantitative trait locus,QTL)(DXMit68-rs29053133)在近交系小鼠A/J和C3H/HeJ(C3H)中是否存在影响表型的序列差异,以帮助对候选基因进行筛选。方法利用A/J和C3H构建了针对该区段的特异区段替换系小鼠,并对其雌鼠的性发育相关性状进行研究。结果 A/J和C3H在这一QTL中染色体的序列差异,没有引起相关性状的明显差异。结论研究结果显示,A/J和C3H小鼠中该QTL区段中存在序列差异的基因并不是引起性发育表型产生差异的候选基因。     

水稻穗颈维管束及穗部性状的QTL分析

以籼稻 (OryzasativaL .ssp .indicaZYQ8)和粳稻 (O .sativassp .japonicaJX17)的杂交F1代花培加倍的DH群体为材料考察了该群体的穗颈节大小维管束数、一次枝梗数、每穗颖花数、穗颈节顶部直径和穗长 ,并用该群体构建的分子图谱进行数量性状座位 (QTL)分析。检测到控制大维管束的 3个QTL (qLVB_1、qLVB_6和qLVB_7)分别位于第 1、第 6和第 7染色体 ;控制小维管束的 2个QTL (qSVB_4和qSVB_6 )分别位于第 4和第 6染色体 ;控制一次枝梗的 4个QTL (qPRB_4a、qPRB_4b、qPRB_6和qPRB_7)分别位于第 4(2个 )、第 6和第 7染色体 ;每穗颖花数的 3个QTL (qSPN_4a、qSPN_4b和qSPN_6 )分别位于第 4(2个 )和第 6染色体上 ;穗颈节顶部直径的 5个QTL (qPTD_2、qPTD_5、qPTD_6、qPTD_8和qPTD_12 )分别位于第 2、第 5、第 6、第 8和第 12染色体 ;穗长的 3个QTL (qPL_4、qPL_6和qPL_8)分别位于第 4、第 6、第 8染色体上。其中qLVB_6、qSVB_6、qSPN_6、qPTD_6和qPL_6均位于第 6染色体的G12 2_G1314b之间 ;qPL_8和qPTD_8位于第 8染色体的GA40 8_BP12 7a之间 ;qPRB_4a和qSPN_4a位于第 4染色体的G177_CT2 0 6之间 ;qPL_4和qSPN_4b位于第 4染色体CT40 4_CT5 0 0之间 ;qSVB_4所在的区间与qPL_4、qSPN_4b和qPRB_4b所在的区间相邻。     

粳型超级稻品种''沈农265''穗部和穗颈维管束性状的QTL剖析

采用粳型超级稻品种'沈农265'和普通品种'丽江新团黑谷'的176株F2群体分析24个穗部和穗颈维管束数量性状位点(QTL)的结果显示,共检测到37个QTL,它们分布在水稻的第1、2、3、4、5、6、7,8,9和12号染色体上,单个QTL对性状表型贡献率在11.0%-65.0%之间,其中大于20%的有15个.这些QTL,分别在第3、4、6、9和12号染色体上.以6个QTL簇(QCR)的形式存在.QCR-3和QCR-12控制穗部和穗颈维管束性状,QCR-4a、QCR-4b、QCR-6和QCR-9控制穗部性状.在这些区域已经定位了多个控制穗部性状的QTL,说明紧密连锁或成簇分布是穗颈维管束性状和穗部性状高度相关的遗传学基础之一.     

利用CSSLs群体研究稻米粒型QTL的表达稳定性

利用Asominori×IR2 4的染色体片段置换系 (CSSLs)群体 ,对稻米粒长、粒宽和长宽比进行连续两年及 4个地点的QTL表达稳定性分析。结果表明 :3个性状“两年四点”的表现型都为连续分布 ,均存在超亲遗传类型 ;共检测到 13个粒型相关QTL ,其中在 8个环境中都能被重复检测到的QTL有 6个 ,即影响粒长的 qGL 3、控制粒宽的qGW 5a和 qGW 5b以及共同作用于长宽比的qLWR 3、qLWR 5a和 qLWR 5b。这 6个QTL对应置换系的相应性状与背景亲本Asominori的表现型差异在 8个环境中都达到极显著水平 (P <0 0 0 1) ,且同一QTL对应置换系相应性状的表现型在不同环境间呈显著正相关 (r≥ 0 75 ,r0 0 5=0 6 6 6 ) ,说明这 6个QTL表达稳定性较高。由于 qGL 3和 qLWR 3均位于R19 C16 77标记区间 ,qGW 5a和 qLWR 5a位于C2 6 3标记附近 ,qGW 5b和 qLWR 5b被定位在R5 6 9标记附近 ,因此R19、C16 77、C2 6 3和R5 6 9这 4个RFLP标记对优良水稻外观品质的标记辅助选择 (MAS)育种有着重要作用     

应用BXD小鼠鉴定肾脏发育相关QTLs

[目的]利用BXD小鼠群体定位肾脏发育相关QTLs及筛选QTLs区段内的候选功能基因。[方法]高脂饲喂BXD小鼠29w龄后,获取各品系小鼠肾脏重量和体重,结合该小鼠群体基因型信息,利用web QTL定位肾重比相关QTLs。为进一步筛选QTLs区段内的功能基因,首先,通过皮尔逊相关性分析,鉴定肾脏mRNA表达水平与肾重比显著相关(P 0. 05)的基因;其次,通过比较C57BL/6J和DBA/2J亲本品系的DNA序列信息,鉴定含有非同义突变的蛋白编码基因;最后,将上述基因导入到Phenolyzer在线分析数据库,并以"kidney"为表型关键词进行检索,优选QTLs区段内的候选功能基因。[结果]BXD小鼠肾重比存在显著差异。经QTL作图,在基因组上共鉴定3个与肾重比相关的QTLs,分别位于四号和X染色体上。在QTLs区段内,共发现45个基因的肾脏mRNA表达水平与肾重比显著相关(P 0. 05),65个基因含有非同义突变,经Phenolyzer在线数据库分析,发现51个基因可能与肾脏发育或肾脏疾病相关。[结论]通过QTL作图,在小鼠基因组上鉴定了3个影响肾脏发育的QTLs,筛选了部分候选基因,后续可做进一步的功能验证来阐明其参与肾脏发育的调控机制。     

大白×梅山杂交组合肉质性状的数量性状位点定位分析

为寻找影响猪肉质数量性状基因位点的染色体区域 ,以 3头英系大白公猪和 7头梅山母猪建立F2 资源家系。随机选留 14 7头F2 代个体 (1998年 81头 ,2 0 0 0年 66头 ) ,经检测均获得肉质性状表型数据。对资源家系内的所有个体位于染色体 1、2、3、4、6和 7上的 48个微卫星位点进行扩增。利用线性模型最小二乘法分别对各年度及两年综合后的肉质性状进行数量性状位点 (QTL)区间定位 ,利用置换法确定显著性阈值。研究结果表明 :在 2 0 0 0年群体中 ,猪 4号染色体 (SSC4)上定位了肌内脂肪QTL ,达到染色体极显著水平 (P <0 0 1)和基因组显著水平 (P <0 0 5) ,解释表型变异为 5 2 4% ,梅山猪具有增加肌内脂肪QTL ;两年度群体综合后 ,在上述 4号染色体同一区间 ,肌内脂肪QTL接近染色体显著水平 ;股二头肌pH值和半棘肌pH值QTL分别定位在SSC1和 3上 ;在 1998年和 2 0 0 0年群体中分别发现 1个和 3个达染色体显著水平 (P <0 0 5)的系水力QTL ;在 1998年群体中 ,肌肉含水量QTL位于SSC6;两年综合群体中 ,SSC2、6和 7上定位了肌肉含水量QTL ,达到染色体显著水平 ,含水量QTL均有印迹效应 ,梅山和大白猪各有增效基因     

艾氏腹水癌克隆细胞株E2G8建立小鼠动物模型生物学特性研究

目的　比较不同品种 (系 )小鼠接种E2G8细胞株的某些生物学特性。方法　将E2G8细胞稀释成不同浓度 ,接种KM、DBA 2、6 15、C57BL 6及BALB c小鼠皮下或腹腔 ,观察小鼠出现可见肿块 腹水时间及小鼠生存时间 ;测量肿块直径 (cm)及瘤重 ;荷瘤小鼠腹腔注射环磷酰胺 (CTX) ,观察E2G8细胞肿瘤模型对CTX治疗的敏感性。结果　E2G8接种BALB c、6 15小鼠皮下毒性最大 ,DBA 2、C57BL 6小鼠次之 ,接种KM小鼠皮下毒性最小 ;接种DBA 2、C57BL 6、6 15小鼠腹腔毒性较大 ,致死性高 ,对BALB c和KM小鼠的致死性弱 ;E2G8瘤细胞在KM和 4种纯系小鼠皮下均能很好生长肿瘤 ,其中在KM小鼠皮下肿瘤生长最大 ,在BALB c小鼠皮下肿瘤最小 ;KM、C57BL 6、6 15、DBA 2、BALB c小鼠皮下接种瘤细胞第 12天瘤重分别为 (2 4 0± 1 30 ) ,(0 90± 0 4 8) ,(1 2 0± 0 38) ,(1 10± 0 2 9) ,(0 80± 0 30 )g ;E2G8细胞接种 5个不同品种 (系 )小鼠制备的肿瘤模型 ,用CTX治疗 ,抑瘤率由高到低依次为6 6 7% (6 15 ) ,5 5 0 % (BALB c) ,5 3 3% (C57BL 6 ) ,5 0 % (KM) ,36 4 (DBA 2 ) ,其中 6 15小鼠建立的模型对CTX的治疗最敏感。结论　E2G8细胞株接种 5个不同品种 (系 )小鼠 ,所测生物学特性不完全相同 ,但是从腹腔 皮下接种、CTX     

大白×梅山猪资源家系生长性状QTL的检测

以大白猪和梅山猪为父母本建立F2 资源家系 ,在 2 0 0 0年 ,随机选留 6 6头F2 代个体 ,获得出生重、6 0日龄体重、出生至 6 0日龄平均日增重及 6 0日龄至屠宰前平均日增重的表型数据。结合 4 8个微卫星标记构建的猪 1、2、3、4、6和 7号染色体遗传连锁图谱 ,用线性模型最小二乘法对各数量性状进行QTL区间作图 ,利用置换法(permutation)确定显著性阈值。研究发现 ,猪 4号染色体上有一个染色体水平极显著 (P <0 0 1)的QTL影响 6 0日龄至屠宰前平均日增重 ,并达到基因组显著水平 (P <0 0 5 )。在染色体水平 ,出生至 6 0日龄平均日增重QTL位于 2号染色体 ,6 0日龄体重QTL位于 1号染色体。 6号染色体的出生至 6 0日龄平均日增重QTL达到建议显著水平     

春小麦千粒重相关性状的QTL定位及其耐热性分析

春小麦灌浆中后期正逢高温天气,适于发掘与耐高温相关的QTL。本研究利用春小麦Avocet/Sujata重组自交系群体,自2016-2018年在石家庄藁城区和天津两地4个环境下种植,进行千粒重(TKW)、粒长(KL)和粒宽(KW)等性状QTL定位,探讨这些QTL与灌浆期高温和品种适应性的关系。结果显示:在4个环境下共检测到20个QTL。其中,5个与粒长相关,4个与粒宽相关,11个与千粒重相关。在千粒重相关QTL中,有1个兼控粒长(QTkw-5A.1/QKl-5A),3个兼控粒宽(QTkw-2A.1/QKw-2A.2、QTkw-3B.2/QKw-3B和QTkw-6A/QKw-6A);3个QTL(QTkw-2A.1、QTkw-4B和QTkw-5A.1)可在不同环境下重复检测到。在2017年(持续高温环境)和2018年(高温+超高温环境)石家庄试点共检测到7个千粒重QTL,可能与耐高温有关。其中,有2个主效QTL(QTkw-2A.1和QTkw-5A.1),分别解释13.8%和17.3%的表型变异,5个微效QTL(QTkw-2A.2、QTkw-3B.1、QTkw-3B.2,QTkw-4A.2和QTkw-6A),解释7.4%~9.9%的表型变异。这些QTL可能在今后的抗干热风育种中发挥重要作用。在石家庄试点共检测9个千粒重QTL,其中6个加性效应来自Sujata(5个可在2017年和2018年高温环境下被检测到),3个来自Avocet(2个可在高温环境下被检测到)。可见,聚合了多个优异位点可能是Sujata具有高千粒重和广泛适应性的遗传基础。     

Detection of quantitative trait loci for body weight at 10 weeks from Philippine wild mice

A genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling body weight at 10 weeks after birth was carried out in a population of 387 intersubspecific backcross mice derived from a cross between C57BL/6J inbred mice (Mus musculus domesticus) and wild mice (M. m. castaneus) captured in the Philippines, in order to discover novel QTLs from the wild mice that have about 60% lower body weight than C57BL/6J. By interval mapping, we detected four QTLs: a highly significant QTL on Chromosome (Chr) 2, which was common in both sexes; two significant QTLs on Chr 13, one male-specific and the other female-specific; and a suggestive male-specific QTL on X Chr. By composite interval mapping, we confirmed the presence of the three QTLs on Chrs 2 and 13, but not of the male-specific X-linked QTL. The composite interval mapping analysis newly identified three QTLs: a significant male-specific QTL on Chr 11 and two highly significant female-specific QTLs on Chrs 9 and X. Individual QTLs explained 3.8–11.6% of the phenotypic variance, and all the QTL alleles derived from the wild mice decreased body weight. A two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant epistatic interaction between the Chr 2 QTL and the background marker locus D12Mit4 on Chr 12 only in males. The interaction effect unexpectedly increased body weight. The chromosomal region containing the Chr 2 QTL did not coincide with those of growth or fatness QTLs mapped in previous studies. These results suggest that a population of wild mice may play an important role as new sources of valuable QTLs. Received: 14 January 2000 / Accepted: 14 April 2000     

Quantitative trait loci associated with maximal exercise endurance in mice.

The role of genetics in the determination of maximal exercise endurance is unclear. Six- to nine-week-old F2 mice (n = 99; 60 female, 39 male), derived from an intercross of two inbred strains that had previously been phenotyped as having high maximal exercise endurance (Balb/cJ) and low maximal exercise endurance (DBA/2J), were treadmill tested to estimate exercise endurance. Selective genotyping of the F2 cohort (n = 12 high exercise endurance; n = 12 low exercise endurance) identified a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome X (53.7 cM, DXMit121) in the entire cohort and a suggestive QTL on chromosome 8 (36.1 cM, D8Mit359) in the female mice. Fine mapping with the entire F2 cohort and additional informative markers confirmed and narrowed the QTLs. The chromosome 8 QTL (EE8(F)) is homologous with two suggestive human QTLs and one significant rat QTL previously linked with exercise endurance. No effect of sex (P = 0.33) or body weight (P = 0.79) on exercise endurance was found in the F2 cohort. These data indicate that genetic factors in distinct chromosomal regions may affect maximal exercise endurance in the inbred mouse. Whereas multiple genes are located in the identified QTL that could functionally affect exercise endurance, this study serves as a foundation for further investigations delineating the identity of genetic factors influencing maximum exercise endurance.     

Mapping of the chromosome 17 BMD QTL in the F<Subscript>2</Subscript> male mice of MRL/MpJ × SJL/J

Developing treatment strategies for osteoporosis would be facilitated by identifying genes regulating bone mineral density (BMD). One way to do so is through quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. However, there are sex differences in terms of the presence/absence and locations of BMD QTLs. In a previous study, our group identified a BMD QTL on chromosome 17 in the F₂ female mice of the MRL/MpJ × SJL/J cross. Here, we determined whether it was also present in the male mice of the same cross. Furthermore, we also intended to reduce the QTL region by increasing marker density. Interval mapping showed that the same QTL based on chromosomal positions was present in the male mice, with logarithmic odds (LOD) scores of 4.0 for femur BMD and 5.2 for total body BMD. Although there was a body weight QTL at the same location, the BMD QTL was not affected by the adjustment for body weight. Mapping with increased marker density indicated a most likely region of 35–55 Mb for this QTL. There were also co-localized QTLs for femur length, femur periosteal circumference (PC) and total body bone area, suggesting possibility of pleiotropy. Runx2 and VEGFA are strong candidate genes located within this QTL region.     

Quantitative trait loci for body weight in the intercross between SM/J and A/J mice.

We performed a genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of body weight at 10 weeks of age in a population of 321 intercross offspring from SM/J and A/J mice, progenitor strains of SMXA recombinant inbred strains. Interval mapping revealed two significant QTLs, Bwq3 (body weight QTL3) and Bwq4, on Chromosomes (Chrs) 8 and 18 respectively, and five suggestive QTLs on Chrs 2, 6, 7, 15 and 19. Bwq3 and Bwq4 explained 6% of the phenotypic variance. The SM/J alleles at both QTLs increased body weight, though the SM/J mouse was smaller than the A/J mouse. On the other hand, four of the five suggestive QTLs detected had male-specific effects on body weight and the remainder was female-specific. These suggestive QTLs explained 5-6% of the phenotypic variance and all the SM/J alleles decreased body weight.     

Quantitative trait loci associated with body weight and abdominal fat traits on chicken chromosomes 3, 5 and 7

Body weight and abdominal fat traits in meat-type chickens are complex and economically important factors. Our objective was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for body weight and abdominal fat traits in broiler chickens. The Northeast Agricultural University Resource Population (NEAURP) is a cross between broiler sires and Baier layer dams. We measured body weight and abdominal fat traits in the F(2) population. A total of 362 F(2) individuals derived from four F(1) families and their parents and F(0) birds were genotyped using 29 fluorescent microsatellite markers located on chromosomes 3, 5 and 7. Linkage maps for the three chromosomes were constructed and interval mapping was performed to identify putative QTLs. Nine QTL for body weight were identified at the 5% genome-wide level, while 15 QTL were identified at the 5% chromosome-wide level. Phenotypic variance explained by these QTL varied from 2.95 to 6.03%. In particular, a QTL region spanning 31 cM, associated with body weight at 1 to 12 weeks of age and carcass weight at 12 weeks of age, was first identified on chromosome 5. Three QTLs for the abdominal fat traits were identified at the 5% chromosome-wide level. These QTLs explained 3.42 to 3.59% of the phenotypic variance. This information will help direct prospective fine mapping studies and can facilitate the identification of underlying genes and causal mutations for body weight and abdominal fat traits.     

Further mapping of quantitative trait loci for postnatal growth in an inter-sub-specific backcross of wild Mus musculus castaneus and C57BL/6J mice

We performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of eight body weights recorded weekly from 3 weeks to 10 weeks after birth and two weight gains recorded between 3 weeks and 6 weeks, and between 6 weeks and 10 weeks in an inter-sub-specific backcross population of wild Mus musculus castaneus mice captured in the Philippines and the common inbred strain C57BL/6J ( M. musculus domesticus ), to elucidate the complex genetic architecture of body weight and growth. Interval mapping identified 17 significant QTLs with main effects on 11 chromosomes. In particular, the main effect of the most potent QTL on proximal chromosome 2 increased linearly with age, whereas other QTLs exerted effects on either the early or late growth period. Surprisingly, although wild mice displayed 60% of the body size of their C57BL/6J counterparts, the wild-derived allele enhanced growth at two QTLs. Interestingly, five of the 17 main-effect QTLs identified had significant epistatic interaction effects. Five new epistatic QTLs with no main effects were identified on different chromosomes or regions. For one pair of epistatic QTLs, mice that were heterozygous for the wild-derived allele at one QTL and homozygous for that allele at another QTL exhibited the most rapid growth in all four possible genotypic combinations. Out of the identified QTLs, several showed significant sex-specific effects.     

Quantitative trait loci influencing drought tolerance in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Drought is a major constraint in sorghum production worldwide. Drought-stress in sorghum has been characterized at both pre-flowering and post-flowering stages resulting in a drastic reduction in grain yield. In the case of post-flowering drought stress, lodging further aggravates the problem resulting in total loss of crop yield in mechanized agriculture. The present study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling post-flowering drought tolerance (stay green), pre-flowering drought tolerance and lodging tolerance in sorghum using an F₇ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross SC56×Tx7000. The RIL lines, along with parents, were evaluated for the above traits in multiple environments. With the help of a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) map, which spans 1,355 cM and consists of 144 loci, nine QTLs, located over seven linkage groups were detected for stay green in several environments using the method of composite interval mapping. Comparison of the QTL locations with the published results indicated that three QTLs located on linkage groups A, G and J were consistent. This is considered significant since the stay green line SC56 used in our investigation is from a different source compared to B35 that was used in all the earlier investigations. Comparative mapping has shown that two stay green QTLs identified in this study corresponded to stay green QTL regions in maize. These genomic regions were also reported to be congruent with other drought-related agronomic and physiological traits in maize and rice, suggesting that these syntenic regions might be hosting a cluster of genes with pleiotropic effects implicated in several drought tolerance mechanisms in these grass species. In addition, three and four major QTLs responsible for lodging tolerance and pre-flowering drought tolerance, respectively, were detected. This investigation clearly revealed the important and consistent stay green QTLs in a different stay green source that can logically be targeted for positional cloning. The identification of QTLs and markers for pre-flowering drought tolerance and lodging tolerance will help plant breeders in manipulating and pyramiding those traits along with stay green to improve drought tolerance in sorghum. Received: 2 June 2000 / Accepted: 15 November 2000     

Quantitative trait Loci for glomerulosclerosis, kidney weight and body weight in the focal glomerulosclerosis mouse model.

In 183 male progeny derived from a backcross between the FGS/Kist strain, a new mouse model for focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS) in humans, and the standard normal strain, C57BL/6J, we performed a genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the glomerulosclerosis index (GSI) based on histological observation as well as kidney and body weights. Two QTLs for GSI (Gsi1-2) located on chromosomes (Chrs) 8 and 10, a kidney weight QTL (Kdw1) on Chr 19, and a body weight QTL (Bdw1) on Chr 13 were detected at the genome-wide 5% or less level. The allele derived from FGS/Kist increased GSI at Gsi1, but decreased it at Gsi2. The mice homozygous for the FGS/Kist allele decreased body and kidney weights. The identified QTLs accounted for 5-8% of the phenotypic variance.     

Quantitative Trait Loci for Murine Growth

Body size is an archetypal quantitative trait with variation due to the segregation of many gene loci, each of relatively minor effect, and the environment. We examine the effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on age-specific body weights and growth in the F(2) intercross of the LG/J and SM/J strains of inbred mice. Weekly weights (1-10 wk) and 75 microsatellite genotypes were obtained for 535 mice. Interval mapping was used to locate and measure the genotypic effects of QTLs on body weight and growth. QTL effects were detected on 16 of the 19 autosomes with several chromosomes carrying more than one QTL. The number of QTLs for age-specific weights varied from seven at 1 week to 17 at 10 wk. The QTLs were each of relatively minor, subequal effect. QTLs affecting early and late growth were generally distinct, mapping to different chromosomal locations indicating separate genetic and physiological systems for early and later murine growth.