Inhibition of c-Kit Is Not Required for Reversal of Hyperglycemia by Imatinib in NOD Mice

(1) Aim/Hypothesis

Recent studies indicate that tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including imatinib, can reverse hyperglycemia in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Imatinib inhibits c-Abl, c-Kit, and PDGFRs. Next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors for T1D treatment should maintain activities required for efficacy while sparing inhibition of targets that might otherwise lead to adverse events. In this study, we investigated the contribution of c-Kit inhibition by imatinib in reversal of hyperglycemia in NOD mice.

(2) Methods

The T670I mutation in c-Kit, which confers imatinib resistance, was engineered into the mouse genome and bred onto the NOD background. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from NOD.c-Kit^T670I mice and NOD.c-Kit^wt littermates were expanded in the presence or absence of imatinib to verify imatinib resistance of the c-Kit^T670I allele. Diabetic mice were treated with imatinib at the onset of hyperglycemia for three weeks, and blood glucose was monitored.

(3 )Results

In vitro expansion of HSCs from NOD.c-Kit^wt mice was sensitive to imatinib, while expansion of HSCs from NOD.c-Kit^T670I mice was insensitive to imatinib. However, in vivo treatment with imatinib lowered blood glucose levels in both strains of mice.

(4) Conclusions/Interpretation

The HSC experiment confirmed that, in NOD.c-Kit^T670I mice, c-Kit is resistant to imatinib. As both NOD.c-Kit^T670I and NOD.c-Kit^wt mice responded comparably to imatinib, c-Kit inhibition does not substantially contribute to the efficacy of imatinib in T1D. Thus, we conclude that inhibition of c-Kit is not required in next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors for T1D treatment, and may be selected against to improve the safety profile.     

Fine genetic mapping defines the genetic order of Pax9, Tcf3a,and Acrodysplasia (Adp)

We present here the fine genetic mapping of the proximal part of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 12 between D12Mit54 and D12Mit4. This chromosomal region contains three loci, Pax9, Tcf3a, and Acrodysplasia (Adp), which seem to play an important role in pattern formation during mouse embryogenesis. The Adp mutation, which was created by transgene integration, causes skull, paw, and tail deformities. Pax9, which is expressed in the face, paws, and tail, once qualified as a possible candidate for the Adp locus. We analyzed 997 interspecific backcross progeny for recombination between the markers D12Mit54 and D12Mit4; we recovered 117 recombinants, which were further typed for Pax9, Tcf3a, Adp, D12Mit88, D12Nds1, D12Mit36, and D12Mit34. This study represents the first instance in which all the above loci have been included in a single analysis, thereby allowing unambiguous determination of the genetic order and distance between D12Mit54 and D12Mit4. From our results, we conclude that the Adp locus is distinct from either Pax9 or Tcf3a.     

Two Pax2/5/8-binding sites in Engrailed2 are required for proper initiation of endogenous mid-hindbrain expression

During early brain development mouse Engrailed2 (En2) is expressed in a broad band across most of the mid-hindbrain region. Evidence from gene expression data, promoter analysis in transgenic mice and mutant phenotype analysis in mice and zebrafish has suggested that Pax2, 5 and 8 play a critical role in regulating En2 mid-hindbrain expression. Previously, we identified two Pax2/5/8-binding sites in a 1.0 kb En2 enhancer fragment that is sufficient to directed reporter gene expression to the early mid-hindbrain region and showed that the two Pax2/5/8-binding sites are essential for the mid-hindbrain expression in transgenic mice. In the present study we have examined the functional requirements of these two Pax2/5/8-binding sites in the context of the endogenous En2 gene for directing mid-hindbrain expression. The two Pax2/5/8-binding sites were deleted from the En2 locus and replaced with the bacterial neo gene by homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells. After transmitting the mutation into mice, the neo gene was removed by breeding with transgenic mice expressing cre from a CMV promoter. Embryos homozygous for this En2 Pax2/5/8-binding site deletion mutation had a mild reduction in En2 expression in the presumptive mid-hindbrain region at the 5-7 somite stage, when En2 expression is normally initiated. However, from embryonic day 9.0 onwards, the mutant embryos showed En2 expression indistinguishable from that seen in wild type embryos. Furthermore, the mutants did not show the cerebellar defect seen in mice with a null mutation in En2. This result demonstrates that the two Pax2/5/8-binding sites that were deleted, while being required for mid-hindbrain expression in the context of a 1.0 kb En2 enhancer, are only required for proper initiation of expression of the endogenous En2 gene. Interestingly, a comparison of the lacZ RNA and protein expression patterns directed by the 1.0 kb enhancer fragment revealed that lacZ protein was acting as a lineage marker in the mid-hindbrain region by persisting longer than the mRNA. The transgene expression directed by the 1.0 kb enhancer fragment therefore does not mimic the entire broad domain of En2 expression. Taken together, these two studies demonstrate that DNA binding sites in addition to the two Pax2/5/8-binding sites must be necessary for En2 mid-hindbrain expression.     

Aphakia (ak), a mouse mutation affecting early eye development: Fine mapping,consideration of candidate genes and altered Pax6 and Six3 gene expression pattern

The homozygous mouse mutant aphakia (ak) has been characterized by bilaterally aphakic eyes without a pupil [Varnum DS, Stevens, LC (1968): J Hered 59:147–150]. The mutation was mapped to chromosome 19 [Varnum DS, Stevens, LC (1975): Mouse News Lett 53:35]. Our linkage studies yielded a precise localization of the ak gene 0.6 ± 0.3 cM proximal to the microsatellite marker D19Mit10 and 0.7 ± 0.4 cM distal to D19Mit4 and D19Mit91. No recombination was found with the marker D19Mit9 among 418 backcross offspring tested. The developmental control gene Pax2 mapped 11.0 ± 3.5 cM proximal to ak and is excluded as a candidate gene. Sequence analysis of Fgf8 and Chuk1, which are localized close to the marker D19Mit10, detected no mutations in the ak/ak mutants. Histological analysis of homozygous mutants suggested the arrest of lens development at the lens stalk stage, a transient morphological structure during the formation of the lens vesicle. In the lens remnants, Pax6 and Six3 are expressed, whereas in the persisting lens stalk only Pax6 was detected. The expression pattern of Pax2 appeared normal; Cryaa expression could not be detected. As a consequence of the arrested lens development, other ocular tissues that require for their development information from the intact lens, such as iris, ciliary muscle, retina, and vitreous body, are absent or formed abnormally. Dev. Genet. 23:299–316, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Activated c-Kit receptor in the heart promotes cardiac repair and regeneration after injury

The role of endogenous c-Kit receptor activation on cardiac cell homeostasis and repair remains largely unexplored. Transgenic mice carrying an activating point mutation (TgD814Y) in the kinase domain of the c-Kit gene were generated. c-Kit^TgD814Y receptor was expressed in the heart during embryonic development and postnatal life, in a similar timing and expression pattern to that of the endogenous gene, but not in the hematopoietic compartment allowing the study of a cardiac-specific phenotype. c-Kit^TgD814Y mutation produced a constitutive active c-Kit receptor in cardiac tissue and cells from transgenic mice as demonstrated by the increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT, which are the main downstream molecular effectors of c-Kit receptor signaling. In adult transgenic hearts, cardiac morphology, size and total c-Kit⁺ cardiac cell number was not different compared with wt mice. However, when c-Kit^TgD814Y mice were subjected to transmural necrotic heart damage by cryoinjury (CI), all transgenic survived, compared with half of wt mice. In the sub-acute phase after CI, transgenic and wt mice showed similar heart damage. However, 9 days after CI, transgenic mice exhibited an increased number of c-Kit⁺CD31⁺ endothelial progenitor cells surrounding the necrotic area. At later follow-up, a consistent reduction of fibrotic area, increased capillary density and increased cardiomyocyte replenishment rate (as established by BrdU incorporation) were observed in transgenic compared with wt mice. Consistently, CD45⁻c-Kit⁺ cardiac stem cells isolated from transgenic c-Kit^TgD814Y mice showed an enhanced endothelial and cardiomyocyte differentiation potential compared with cells isolated from the wt. Constitutive activation of c-Kit receptor in mice is associated with an increased cardiac myogenic and vasculogenic reparative potential after injury, with a significant improvement of survival.c-Kit is a tyrosine kinase receptor essential for proliferation, survival and migration of several stem cell types such as melanocyte precursors, hematopoietic and germ stem cells.^{1, 2, 3, 4} More recently, c-Kit receptor was reported to be expressed in cardiac and neuronal stem cells.^{5, 6} Mice lacking c-Kit gene present germ cell and melanocyte defects and die in the first days of postnatal life because of impaired hematopoiesis.^{7, 8} The binding of c-Kit ligand (KL) induces receptor homodimerization and autophosphorylation of the intracellular tyrosine kinase domains leading to the modulation of different signaling pathways such as AKT and MAPKs.^{9, 10, 11}In the past 15 years, several studies have shown that c-Kit⁺ cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have beneficial effects in cardiac repair and regeneration.¹² Genetically mutant mice deficient in c-Kit signaling (W/Wv) show a worsened cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction, conversely transgenic mice overexpressing KL in the heart exhibit an improved myocardial repair compared with their wt littermates after myocardial infarction.^{13, 14, 15} Increased expression of KL occurring in ischemic heart favors migration of c-Kit⁺ bone marrow-derived and CSCs via activation of p38 MAPK.^{16, 17, 18} Furthermore, c-Kit⁺ CSCs have been recently used in the treatment of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure with significant improvement in systolic function and a reduction in infarct size.^{19, 20, 21}Although c-Kit is widely used as a ''cell surface marker'' to identify stem cells from the embryonic as well as adult heart,^{22, 23} little information^{14, 15} is available on the function that c-Kit signaling has in the activation of CSCs in cardiac repair.To investigate the role of c-Kit in heart repair, transgenic mice were generated carrying a mutated version of c-Kit gene. The substitution of tyrosine for aspartic acid 814 in the phosphotransferase domain leads to constitutive activation of the receptor. Decreased fibrotic area in cryoinjured hearts, reduced inflammatory myeloid cells in the blood, increased number of c-Kit⁺CD31⁺ endothelial cells and isolectin B4 (IB-4)-labeled capillaries as well as BrdU-positive newly formed cardiomyocytes in damaged cardiac area of transgenic mice were observed. MAPK and AKT activation was significantly enhanced in the hearts and CSCs of transgenic mice, whereby the two kinases modulate the activation and endothelial/myogenic differentiation of CSCs. Overall, these data indicate that the activated c-Kit receptor exerts a beneficial protective/regenerative role for myocardial tissue after injury improving cardiac remodeling and repair while fostering differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells likely due to MAPK and AKT signaling activation.     

Neuromuscular ataxia: a new spontaneous mutation in the mouse

Neuromuscular ataxia, nma, is a new autosomal recessive mutation that arose spontaneously in CBA/J inbred mice at The Jackson Laboratory. The mutation, now maintained on the B6C3FeF₁ hybrid background, when homozygous, causes small size, uncoordinated gait, dysmetria, dystonia, general weakness, and death shortly after weaning. No biochemical or morphological abnormalities have been detected. We used an intercross between the B6C3FeF₁ mutant and CAST/Ei to map the nma mutation to the proximal end of Chr 12. The most likely gene order places the mutation between D12Mit270 and D12Mit54, non-recombinant with D12Mit2 in 96 tested meioses. Received: 27 March 2000 / Accepted: 17 May 2000     

The stumbler mutation maps to proximal mouse Chromosome 2

The cerebellar mouse mutation stumbler (stu) was mapped to proximal Chromosome (Chr) 2 with a recently developed polymerase chain reaction assay for endogenous retroviruses that vary between mouse strains. The stu locus resides between the markers D2Mit5 and D2Mit7. A number of developmentally or neurologically relevant candidate genes map in this region, including Bmi1, Dbh, Grin1, Notch1, Pax8, Rxra, and Spna2. Knowing the chromosomal localization of stu should simplify maintenance of the stumbler mouse stock and also enable analysis of the cerebellar defect in presymptomatic individuals.     

Jumbled spine and ribs (Jsr): a new mutation on mouse Chromosome 5

Jumbled spine and ribs (Jsr) is an autosomal dominant mutation that results in malformation of the axial skeleton. The vertebrae of mutant mice (Jsr/+) are all shorter than those of normal mice (+/+) in the inbred line and show various abnormalities. In addition, several ribs are fused at their proximal region because of fusion of thoracic vertebrae. In this study, we localized the Jsr mutation on distal Chromosome (Chr) 5 and constructed a high-resolution map. Chromosomal mapping was performed with an inter-subspecific backcross of (CKH-Jsr/+× MOG) F₁ carrying the Jsr allele and CKH-+/+. The predicted gene order around Jsr was determined to be cen–(Epo, Pdgfa, D5Mit31, D5Mit374)–(Jsr, Nfe2u, D5Mit99, D5Mit247, D5Mit284, D5Mit292, D5Mit327)–D5Mit328–tel. Subsequently, high-resolution mapping concluded the Jsr localization to be cen–Nfe2u–1.0cM–Jsr–0.2cM–D5Mit247,292–tel. Jsr/Jsr homozygotes are alive, as the mutation is not lethal. Based on histological analysis of mutant embryos, Jsr is hypothesized to be caused by abnormal development of primordial cells in the axial skeleton. Received: 1 June 1998 / Accepted: 15 October 1998     

Haplotype analysis of intra-specific backcross curly-tail mice confirms the localization of ct to Chromosome 4

We have determined the order of a number of SSR and SSC polymorphic markers that map to distal mouse Chromosome (Chr) 4 and have used analysis of these markers in backcrosses designed to test the localization of the curly-tail (ct) mutation. We have confirmed that ct maps to this region, close to the locus D4Mit69. Our results also support the hypothesis that ct is a semidominant, rather than a recessive, mutation, since we have identified abnormal-tailed mice that are likely to be heterozygous at the ct locus. Finally, we examined Pax7 as a candidate gene for the ct mutation and found no evidence of protein sequence differences in ct compared with wild-type mice.     

High-resolution linkage map in the vicinity of the Lp locus

Looptail (Lp) is a mutation that profoundly affects neurulation in mouse and is characterized by craniorachischisis, an open neural tube extending from the midbrain to the tail in embryos homozygous for the mutation. Lp maps to the distal portion of mouse chromosome 1, and as part of a positional cloning approach, we have generated a high-resolution linkage map of the Lp chromosomal region. For this, we have carried out extensive segregation analysis in a total of 706 backcross mice informative for Lp and derived from two crosses, (Lp/ + X SJL/J)F1 X SJL/J and (Lp/ + X SWR/J)F1 X SWR/J. In addition, 269 mice from a (Mus spretus X C57BL/6J)F1 X C57BL/6J interspecific backcross were also used to order marker loci and calculate intergene distances for this region. With these mice, a total of 28 DNA markers corresponding to either cloned genes or anonymous markers of the SSLP or SSCP-types were mapped within a 5-cM interval overlapping the Lp region, with the following locus order and interlocus distances (in cM): centromere-D1Mit110 / Atp1β1 / Cd3ζ / Cd3η / D1Mit145 — D1Hun14 / D1Mit15 — D1Mit111 / D1Mit112 — D1Mit114 — D1Mit148 / D1Mit205/ D1Mit36 / D1Mit146 / D1Mit147 / D1Mit270 / D1Hun13 — Fcgr2 — Mpp — Apoa2/Fcer1γ - Lp - D1Mit149 / Spna1/Fcer1α-Eph1-Hlx1/D1Mit62. These studies have allowed the delineation of a maximum genetic interval for Lp of 0.5 cM, a size amenable to physical mapping techniques.     

Omi, a recessive mutation on chromosome 10, is a novel allele of Ostm1

Large-scale N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis has provided many rodent models for human disease. Here we describe the initial characterization and mapping of a recessive mutation that leads to degeneration of the incisors, failure of molars to erupt, a grey coat colour, and mild osteopetrosis. We mapped the omi mutation to chromosome 10 between D10Mit214 and D10Mit194. The Ostm1 gene is a likely candidate gene in this region and the grey-lethal allele, Ostm1 ^gl , and omi mutations fail to complement each other. We show that om/om mice have reduced levels of Ostm1 protein. To date we have not been able to identify the causative mutation. We propose that omi is a novel hypomorphic mutation affecting Ostm1 expression, potentially in a regulatory element.     

A high-resolution linkage map of the lethal spotting locus: a mouse model for Hirschsprung disease

Mice homozygous for the lethal spotting (ls) mutation exhibit aganglionic megacolon and a white spotted coat owing to a lack of neural crest-derived enteric ganglia and melanocytes. The ls mutation disrupts the migration, differentiation, or survival of these neural crest lineages during mammalian development. A human congenital disorder, Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), is also characterized by aganglionic megacolon of the distal bowel and can be accompanied by hypopigmentation of the skin. HSCR has been attrrbuted to multiple loci acting independently or in combination. The ls mouse serves as one animal model for HSCR, and the ls gene may represent one of the loci responsible for some cases of HSCR in humans. This study uses 753 N₂ progeny from a combination of three intersubspecific backcrosses to define the molecular genetic linkage map of the ls region and to provide resources necessary for positional cloning. Similar to some cases of HSCR, the ls mutation acts semidominantly, its phenotypic effects dependent upon the presence of modifier genes segregating in the crosses. We have now localized the ls mutation to a 0.8-cM region between the D2Mit113 and D2Mit73/D2Mit174 loci. Three genes, endothelin-3 (Edn3), guanine nucleotide-binding protein -stimulating polypeptide 1 (Gnas), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pck1) were assessed as candidates for the ls mutation. Only Edn3 and Gnas did not recombine with the ls mutation. Mutational analysis of the Edn3 and Gnas genes will determine whether either gene is responsible for the neural crest deficiencies observed in ls/ls mice.Both authors contributed equally to this research.     

A 1-bp deletion in the γC-crystallin leads to dominant cataracts in mice

To date around 140 genetic alleles have been identified as being responsible for mouse cataract pathology, including Crya, Cryb, Cryg, Maf, Pax6, Pitx3, Sox, Connexins, MIP, and Lim-2. We obtained a dominant cataract mouse model from a spontaneous mutation in the F1 hybrids of outbred strain ICR mice crossed to the inbred strain BALB/cJ mice. Heterozygous and homozygous mutants expressed a nuclear cataract in both eyes. In 8-day-old mice, histological analysis showed that polygon epithelial cells were in the equatorial region and cortex underneath, and vacuole and sponge-like degeneration were in the cortical area underneath the posterior lens capsule. The nucleus of the lens was a deeply stained pink, with the shorter fibers losing their normal arrangement. For the entire eye, there was a blank zone in the equatorial region in 8-day-old mice; however, there was a certain degree of atrophy in cornea tension and retina in the lens in 3-month-old mice. The lens had been serious damaged in the homozygous mutants. For mutation mapping, heterozygous carriers were mated to wild-type C3H/HeJ mice, and offspring (F1 generation) with cataracts were backcrossed to the wild-type C3H/HeJ mice again. N2 mice with cataracts were used for genotyping. Using genome-wide linkage analysis, the mutation was mapped to chromosome 1 and the Cryg gene cluster between two markers was confirmed as the candidate gene. After direct sequencing the cDNA of the Cryg gene cluster, a 1-bp deletion was found in exon 3 of the Crygc gene, leading to a stop codon at the 76th amino acid of exon 3 which results in production of a truncated protein in mutant mice (Leu160Stop). Bioinformatic analysis of the mutant γC-crystallin reveals that the COOH-terminal of the mutant protein deletes a β-sheet, which affects the function of the lens proteins and leads to the development of cataracts.     

Identification of a New Chemically Induced Allele (Lp) at the Loop-Tail Locus: Morphology, Histology, and Genetic Mapping

Loop-tail (Lp) is a semidominant mutation that affects neurulation in mice. Heterozygous animals are characterized by a looped-tail appearance (pig tail) and wobbly head movements while homozygous embryos exhibit a neural tube closure defect that extends from the caudal midbrain to the tip of the tail. The Lp gene has been finely mapped to the distal part of chromosome 1, and a positional cloning strategy has been initiated to isolate the defective gene. This study represents the characterization of a new Lp allele (Lp^m1Jus) induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea mutagenesis. Lp^m1Jus/+ mice have a looped-tail appearance, and both Lp^m1Jus/Lp^m1Jus homozygotes and Lp/Lp^m1Jus compound heterozygotes fail to initiate neural tube closure along most of the embryonic axis. These data indicate that the Lp^m1Jus allele causes a neural tube defect and overall phenotype similar to that of the original Lp allele. Segregation analysis of 90 (Lp^m1Jus/+ × C57BL/6J)F₁ × C57BL/6J looped-tail mice with seven markers that define the Lp genetic map (D1Mit455/D1Mit146/D1Mit148/D1Mit270–1 cM–D1Mit113–0.4 cM–Lp–0.2 cM–D1Mit149–0.8 cM–D1Mit115) showed significant linkage between Lp^m1Jus and all loci analyzed (P < 0.0001). Eight crossovers were detected with the proximal cluster of D1Mit455, D1Mit146, D1Mit148, and D1Mit270, indicating a recombination rate higher than expected in this region, and a single recombinant was encountered with the distal markers D1Mit149 and D1Mit115. Based on these phenotypic and genetic data, Lp^m1Jus is most likely allelic to Lp, thereby representing a valuable additional tool for the positional cloning of the Lp gene and its subsequent molecular characterization.     

A novel spontaneous mutation of BCAR3 results in extrusion cataracts in CF#1 mouse strain

A substrain of mice originating from the CF#1 strain (an outbred colony) reared at Osaka Prefecture University (CF#1/lr mice) develops cataracts beginning at 4 weeks of age. Affected mice were fully viable and fertile and developed cataracts by 14 weeks of age. Histologically, CF#1/lr mice showed vacuolation of the lens cortex, swollen lens fibers, lens rupture and nuclear extrusion. To elucidate the mode of inheritance, we analyzed heterozygous mutant hybrids generated from CF#1/lr mice and wild-type BALB/c mice. None of the heterozygous mutants were affected, and the ratio of affected to unaffected mice was 1:3 among the offspring of the heterozygous mutants. For the initial genome-wide screening and further mapping, we used affected progeny of CF#1/lr × (CF#1/lr × BALB/c) mice. We concluded that the cataracts in CF#1/lr mice are inherited through an autosomal recessive mutation and that the mutant gene is located on mouse chromosome 3 between D3Mit79 and D3Mit216. In this region, we identified 8 genes associated with ocular disease. All 8 genes were sequenced and a novel point mutation (1 bp insertion of cytosine) in exon 7 of the Bcar3 gene was identified. This mutation produced a premature stop codon and a truncated protein. In conclusion, we have identified the first spontaneous mutation in the Bcar3 gene associated with lens extrusion cataracts. This novel cataract model may provide further knowledge of the molecular biology of cataractogenesis and the function of the BCAR3 protein.     

Genetic mapping of hph2, a mutation affecting amino acid transport in the mouse

We describe the genetic mapping of hyperphenylalaninemia 2 (hph2), a recessive mutation in the mouse that causes deficient amino acid transport similar to Hartnup Disorder, a human genetic amino acid transport disorder. The hph2 locus was mapped in three separate crosses to identify candidate genes for hph2 and a region of homology in the human genome where we propose the Hartnup Disorder gene might lie. The mutation maps to mouse Chromosome (Chr) 7 distal of the simple sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) marker D7Mit140 and does not recombine with D7Nds4, an SSLP marker in the fibroblast growth factor 3 (Fgf3) gene. Unexpectedly, the mutant chromosome affects recombination frequency in the D7Mit12 to D7Nds4 interval. Received: 16 May 1996 / Accepted: 25 September 1996     

Identification and characterization of dwarf 62, a loss-of-function mutation in DLT/OsGRAS-32 affecting gibberellin metabolism in rice

A dwarf mutant, dwarf 62 (d62), was isolated from rice cultivar 93-11 by mutagenesis with γ-rays. Under normal growth conditions, the mutant had multiple abnormal phenotypes, such as dwarfism, wide and dark-green leaf blades, reduced tiller numbers, late and asynchronous heading, short roots, partial male sterility, etc. Genetic analysis indicated that the abnormal phenotypes were controlled by the recessive mutation of a single nuclear gene. Using molecular markers, the D62 gene was fine mapped in 131-kb region at the short arm of chromosome 6. Positional cloning of D62 gene revealed that it was the same locus as DLT/OsGRAS-32, which encodes a member of the GRAS family. In previous studies, the DLT/OsGRAS-32 is confirmed to play positive roles in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Sequence analysis showed that the d62 carried a 2-bp deletion in ORF region of D62 gene which led to a loss-of-function mutation. The function of D62 gene was confirmed by complementation experiment. RT-PCR analysis and promoter activity analysis showed that the D62 gene expressed in all tested tissues including roots, stems, leaves and panicles of rice plant. The d62 mutant exhibited decreased activity of α-amylase in endosperm and reduced content of endogenous GA₁. The expression levels of gibberellin (GA) biosynthetic genes including OsCPS1, OsKS1, OsKO1, OsKAO, OsGA20ox2/SD1 and OsGA2ox3 were significantly increased in d62 mutant. Briefly, these results demonstrated that the D62 (DLT/OsGRAS-32) not only participated in the regulation of BR signaling, but also influenced GA metabolism in rice.     

A detailed linkage map of subtelomeric murine Chromosome 12 region including the situs inversus mutation locus IV

A mouse model is an invaluable tool to tackle genesis of human congenital diseases that have so far eluded human studies. Homozygote for the iv mutation, the murine Si/Col strain presents a left-right lateralization defect of thoracic and abdominal organs and heart defects very similar to human ones. This iv mutation has been mapped to the region between the Aat and Igh-C loci, suggesting the presence of an equivalent human gene in the human syntenic 14q3 region. A precise linkage map of the region is, there-fore, of great interest since it will contribute to the genetic approach of the iv gene. Analysis of 242 backcross progeny from Mus musculus (MAI) or spretus strains of mice and SI/Col mice has allowed mapping of the iv gene to a linkage group of eight markers. It includes four genes: Aat (1-antitrypsin), Ckb (creatine kinase, brain form), Crip (cysteine-rich intestinal protein), and Igh-C (immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region complex); three murine microsatellites: D12Mit6, D12Mit7, and D12Mit8; and one new marker, D12Mtpl, defined by a minisatellite human probe, pYNZ2. After analysis of the data by the LINKAGE program, the following multilocus map has been constructed: centromere-D12Mit6-6.9 cM-D12Mit7-1.7 cM-D12Mtp1-2.6 cM-Aat-5.0 cM-(Ckb, Igh-C)-0.4 cM-D12Mit8-0.4 cM-Crip-11.2 cM-iv-telomere. This map differs from the previous map in placing iv locus telomeric to Igh-C. D12Mit6 and D12Mit7 are now precisely mapped centromeric to the locus Aat. In addition, a new locus D12Mtp1 is located between Aat and D12Mit7.