Chromosomal location of the gene encoding the murine acute-phase protein serum amyloid P-component (SAP)

A full-length cDNA clone, pmSAP3, encoding the serum P component (SAP), has been used to search for DNA fragment length variation among mouse strains previously analyzed for differences in endogenous SAP levels. Three alleles were found usingEcoRI-digested DNA. The finding of a single 5.4-kb fragment, alleled, in DNA from DBA/2J mice suggests the presence of a singleSap locus. Segregation of DNA fragment associated withSap ^b andSap ^d alleles was analyzed in three sets of recombinant inbred (RI) strains. The strain distribution pattern found for theSap alleles was identical to that of alleles ofLy-9 in 43 individual RI strains, suggesting tight linkage withLy-9 on mouse chromosome 1. In the BXD RI strains, the SDP of theSap locus, defined by the difference in the endogenous SAP level, is also identical to the SDP of the DNA fragments. We propose to redesignate theSap locus to include both the structural element defined by the DNA polymorphism and the regulatory element involved in the regulation of SAP synthesis. TheSap locus is the major genetic element contributing to the regulation of SAP production. Other genetic factors are also involved, as shown by the presence of nonparental phenotypes in the individual BXH RI strains. This study was performed through special Coordination Funds of the Science and Technology Agency of the Japanese Government and PHS Grant GM24464 to R.W.E.     

Genetic analysis of barrel field size in the first somatosensory area (SI) in inbred and recombinant inbred strains of mice

We measured the combined area of posterior medial barrel subfield (PMBSF) and anterior lateral barrel subfield (ALBSF) areas in four common inbred strains (C3H/HeJ, A?/J, C57BL?/6J, DBA/2J), B6D2F1, and ten recombinant inbred (RI) strains generated from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J progenitors (BXD) as an initial attempt to examine the genetic influences underlying natural variation in barrel field size in adult mice. These two subfields are associated with the representation of the whisker pad and sinus hairs on the contralateral face. Using cytochrome oxidase labeling to visualize the barrel field, we measured the size of the combined subfields in each mouse strain. We also measured body weight and brain weight in each strain. We report that DBA/2J mice have a larger combined PMBSF/ALBSF area (6.15?±?0.10?mm²,?n?=?7) than C57BL?/6J (5.48?±?0.13?mm²,?n?=?10), C3H/HeJ (5.37?±?0.16?mm²,?n?=?10), and A/J mice (5.04?±?0.09?mm²,?n?=?15), despite the fact that DBA/2J mice have smaller average brain and body sizes. This finding may reflect dissociation between systems that control brain size with those that regulate barrel field area. In addition, BXD strains (average n?=?4) and parental strains showed considerable and continuous variation in PMBSF/ALBSF area, suggesting that this trait is polygenic. Furthermore, brain, body, and cortex weights have heritable differences between inbred strains and among BXD strains. PMBSF/ALBSF pattern appears similar among inbred and BXD strains, suggesting that somatosensory patterning reflects a common plan of organization. This data is an important first step in the quantitative genetic analysis of the parcellation of neocortex into diverse cytoarchitectonic zones that vary widely within and between species, and in identifying the genetic factors underlying barrel field size using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses.     

Mapping of theLyb-4 gene to different chromosomes in DBA/2J and C3H/HeJ mice

Linkage has been established between the Lyb-4 alloantigen locus and the chromosome 4 markersLyb- 2 andMup- 1 using recombinant inbred (RI) strains. Only 2 of 24 BXD RI strains possess recombinant genotypes with respect to the B cell alloantigen lociLyb- 4 andLyb- 2, for an estimated recombination frequency of 0.024 ±0.019. One additional BXD RI strain was a recombinant with respect toLyb- 4 andMup- 1 (major urinary protein locus) for an estimated recombination frequency of 0.039 ± 0.026. These linkages were confirmed and further quantitated in a (C57BL/6J × DBA/2J)F₁ × C57BL/6J backcross population, in which the recombination frequency betweenLyb- 4 andMup- 1 was 0.049 ± 0.019. No recombination between the expression of Lyb-4.1 antigen and the ability of anti-Lyb-4.1 serum to suppress MLC reactivity was found, indicating that the genes controlling the antigenic determinant which is recognized with cytotoxic antibodies in anti-Lyb-4.1 serum is the same as, or is very closely linked to, the gene which is responsible for augmentation of the MLC response. In contrast, no linkage was observed between the gene controlling the Lyb-4.1 determinant andMup- 1 in RI strain and backcross mice derived from the cross of C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J. Again, there was complete concordance between the serologically recognized determinant and the ability of anti-Lyb-4.1 serum to suppress the MLC response. Absorption of anti-Lyb-4.1 serum with C3H/HeJ, DBA/2J, and C57BL/6J lymphocytes, followed by the cytotoxic assay of the absorbed sera on lymphocytes of each of these three strains showed that serologically the Lyb-4.1 antigenic determinant on DBA/2 mice was indistinguishable from that on C3H/HeJ mice. Thus, both traits appear to be under the control of single genes in both DBA/2J and C3H/HeJ, but the C3H/HeJ gene appears to be nonallelic and unlinked to the DBA/2J gene.Abbreviations used in this paper LAD lymphocyte activating determinants - LPS lipopolysaccharide - MLC mixed lymphocyte culture - RI recombinant inbred     

Assignment of the Ly-6--Ril-1--Sis--H-30--Pol-5/Xmmv-72--Ins-3--Krt-1--Int-1--Gdc-1 region to mouse chromosome 15

Previous work has demonstrated linkage between Ly-6, H-30, and a locus, Ril-1, that affects susceptibility to radiation-induced leukemia. Results of preliminary linkage analyses suggested further that the cluster might be linked to Ly-11 on the proximal portion of mouse chromosome 2. Using molecular probes to examine somatic cell lines and recombinant inbred and congenic strains of mice, we have re-evaluated these linkage relationships. A cloned genomic DNA fragment derived from a retroviral site has been used to define a novel locus, Pol-5, that is tightly linked to both H-30 and Ril-1 as shown by analysis of the B6.C-H-30 ^c congenic mouse strain. Following the segregation of the Pol-5 mouse-specific DNA fragment in a series of somatic cell hybrids carrying various combinations of mouse chromosomes on a rat or Chinese hamster background mapped Pol-5 to mouse chromosome 15. During the course of these studies, restriction fragment length polymorphisms were defined associated with several loci, including Pol-5, Ly-6, Sis, Ins-3, Krt-1, Int-1, and Gdc-1. Three of these loci, Sis, Int-1, and Gdc-1, have been previously mapped to chromosome 15 by others using somatic cell hybrids or isoenzyme analyses. Following the inheritance of these eight loci in recombinant inbred strains of mice allowed the definition of a linkage group on the chromosome with the order Ly-6-Ril-1--Sis--H-30--Pol-5--Ins-3--Krt-1--Int-1--Gdc-1. Analyses of alleles inherited as passengers in B6.C-H-30 ^c, C3H.B-Ly-6 ^b, and C57BL/6By-Eh/+ congenic mouse strains and in situ hybridization experiments support the above gene order and indicate further that the cluster is located on distal chromosome 15, with Ly-6 and Sis near Eh.Abbreviations A agouti - Abl cellular homolog of the Abelson leukemia virus oncogene - Ada adenosine deaminase - Ak-1 adenylate kinase-1 - AXB A/J × C57BL/6J recombinant inbred strain - B2m beta-2 microglobulin - BXA C57BL/6J × A/J recombinant inbred strain - BXD C57BL/6J × DBA/2J recombinant inbred strain - BXH C57BL/6J × C3H/HeJ recombinant inbred strain - CXB BALB/cBy × C57BL/6By recombinant inbred strain - DNA deoxyribonucleic acid - Eh hairy ears - Fpgs folypolyglutamyl synthetase - FXI fractionated x-irradiation - Gdc-1 glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase-1 - Il2r IL-2 receptor - Ins-3 a novel insulinlike gene - Int-1 mammary tumor integration site-1 - Itp inosine triphosphatase - Krt-1 the locus designated here includes a cluster of at least three keratin genes - LTR long terminal repeat - Ly lymphocyte - Lv-6 lymphocyte antigen-6 - Ly-11 lymphocyte antigen-11 - MIH minor histocompatibility - Myc cellular homolog of the Abelson leukemia virus oncogene; pa, pallid; - Pol-5 locus encoding retroviral polymerase-5 - RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism - RI recombinant inbred mouse strains - Ril-1 radiation-induced leukemia susceptibility-1 locus - SDP strain distribution pattern - Sis cellular homolog of the simian sarcoma virus oncogene - SFFV spleen focus-forming virus - Tpi-1 triosephosphate isomerase-1 - Ve velvet     

Mapping of the Mod-1 locus on mouse Chromosome 9

A new method for typing the Mod-1 locus on mouse Chromosome (Chr) 9 was developed, based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) within a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified fragment. The new method led us to revise the strain distribution pattern (SDP) of Mod-1 in the BXD (C57BL/6JxDBA/2J) and AKXD (AKR/J x DBA/2J) recombinant inbred (RI) strains. The new SDP eliminates several previously reported examples of double recombination events between Mod-1 and the closest flanking loci in the BXD and AKXD strains. In the BXD strains, the revised SDP of Mod-1 was identical to that of the Mod-1-related D9Rtil locus. Thus, the identity of D9Rtil as a Mod-1-related locus rather than Mod-1 itself is in question. The method was also applied to an interspecific backcross panel between an inbred strain of Mus musculus molossinus (MSM/Ms) and C57BL/6J to map Mod-1 with respect to surrounding microsatellite loci, defining the proximal localization of Mod-1 with respect to D9Mit10 with a genetic distance of 0.6±0.6 cM.     

The murine aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness locus: a comparison of receptor levels and several inducible enzyme activities among recombinant inbred lines

The aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness (Ah) locus has been correlated with genetic differences in the risk of drug toxicity, teratogenesis, chemical carcinogenesis, and mutagenesis. Hepatic cytosolic Ah receptor levels, 2-amino-5-chlorobenzoxazole (zoxazolamine) paralysis time following beta-naphthoflavone treatment and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH3, acetanilide 4-hydroxylase (Ac4H), and NAD(P)H:menadione oxidoreductase (NMOR)4, induction by 3-methylcholanthrene were studied in (a) the progenitors C57BL/6J (Ahb/Ahb) and DBA/2J (Ahd/Ahd) and 25 BXD recombinant inbred lines, (b) the progenitors C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN and 14 B6NXC3N recombinant inbred lines, and (c) the progenitors C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ and 12 BXH recombinant inbred lines. The Ahb phenotype exhibits greater than 5 femtomole receptor/mg of cytosolic protein, less than or equal to 15 minutes zoxazolamine paralysis time, and twofold to 15-fold induction of these three hepatic enzyme activities; the Ahd phenotype exhibits less than or equal to 2 fmol receptor/mg protein, greater than 15 minutes zoxazolamine paralysis time, and less than 30% induction of these three activities. Among the BXD lines but especially among the B6NXC3N and BXH lines, high frequencies of recombination were found; the phenotype of each of the five parameters did not segregate with the phenotype of each of the other parameters in four or more recombinant lines. This report shows for the first time that AHH induction by 3-methylcholanthrene can occur in the Ahd phenotype mouse. These data underline the complexity of this genetic system when genes from C57BL/6 and DBA/2 are combined and particularly when genes from C57BL/6 and C3H/He inbred mouse strains are combined.     

Genetic analysis of barrel field size in the first somatosensory area (SI) in inbred and recombinant inbred strains of mice

We measured the combined area of posterior medial barrel subfield (PMBSF) and anterior lateral barrel subfield (ALBSF) areas in four common inbred strains (C3H/HeJ, A /J, C57BL /6J, DBA/2J), B6D2F1, and ten recombinant inbred (RI) strains generated from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J progenitors (BXD) as an initial attempt to examine the genetic influences underlying natural variation in barrel field size in adult mice. These two subfields are associated with the representation of the whisker pad and sinus hairs on the contralateral face. Using cytochrome oxidase labeling to visualize the barrel field, we measured the size of the combined subfields in each mouse strain. We also measured body weight and brain weight in each strain. We report that DBA/2J mice have a larger combined PMBSF/ALBSF area (6.15 +/- 0.10 mm(2), n = 7) than C57BL /6J (5.48 +/- 0.13 mm(2), n = 10), C3H/HeJ (5.37 +/- 0.16 mm(2), n = 10), and A/J mice (5.04 +/- 0.09 mm(2), n = 15), despite the fact that DBA/2J mice have smaller average brain and body sizes. This finding may reflect dissociation between systems that control brain size with those that regulate barrel field area. In addition, BXD strains (average n = 4) and parental strains showed considerable and continuous variation in PMBSF/ALBSF area, suggesting that this trait is polygenic. Furthermore, brain, body, and cortex weights have heritable differences between inbred strains and among BXD strains. PMBSF/ALBSF pattern appears similar among inbred and BXD strains, suggesting that somatosensory patterning reflects a common plan of organization. This data is an important first step in the quantitative genetic analysis of the parcellation of neocortex into diverse cytoarchitectonic zones that vary widely within and between species, and in identifying the genetic factors underlying barrel field size using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses.     

Genetic dissection of testicular weight in the mouse with the BXD recombinant inbred strains

Testicular weights were studied in the mouse BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains. These strains were derived from DBA/2J and C57BL/6J progenitors that differ significantly in their testicular weights (0.224 g ± 0.015 vs. 0.161 g ± 0.03, P < 0.0001). The heritability of testicular weights was calculated to be 0.53, and the minimum number of responsible effective factors was estimated to be 5.7. The total genome scanning of the BXD RI strains with over 1000 markers revealed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse Chromosome (Chr) 13 near the D13Mit3 marker (LOD score 6.9). This QTL region was designated Twq1 and associated with over 75% of genetic variability. Received: 23 January 1998 / Accepted: 16 March 1998     

Segregation patterns of endogenous mouse mammary tumor viruses in five recombinant inbred strain sets.

We identified mouse mammary tumor proviral loci in the AKR/J, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57L/J, DBA/2J, and SWR/J inbred mouse strains and determined their segregation patterns in the AKXD, AKXL, BXD, BXH, and SWXL recombinant inbred strain sets. Two new Mtv loci, Mtv-29 and Mtv-30, were identified. Mtv-30 was genetically mapped to chromosome 12. Additionally, two previously identified Mtv loci, Mtv-14 and Mtv-23, were genetically mapped to chromosome 4 and chromosome 6, respectively.     

The response of recombinant inbred strains of mice to bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Fourteen recombinant inbred strains of mice have been produced by the inbreeding of the F2 generation of a cross between C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ progenitor mice. The responses of these BXH strains to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have been characterized. Four BXH strains are high LPS responders and nine strains are low LPS responders. One BXH strain shows intermediate responsiveness which may reflect residual heterozygosity. F1 hybrid mice from low x high responder strains were intermediate in their response to LPS suggesting additive genetic control. The LPS responses in backcross mice from the F1 x low LPS responders showed segregation consistent with LPS responsiveness being determined by a single gene. In 13/14 BXH strains, there was concordant inheritance of LPS responsiveness and the major urinary protein locus Mup-1b. The association of the expression of the Mup-1 alleles with LPS responsiveness in the BXH strains suggests that the defective LPS response gene in C3H/HeJ mice is located on chromosome 4.     

Ly-m11: TheH-3 region of mouse chromosome 2 controls a new surface alloantigen

Spleen cells from an SJL mouse immunized with B10.S spleen cells were fused with the nonsecretor myeloma line NS.1. One established hybrid cell line continuously secreted antibody that recognized a new antigenic specificity, tentatively called Ly-mll. This newly found antigen is detectable on nearly 100 percent of spleen and lymph-node cells, 70 percent of bone-marrow cells, and 20 percent of thymus cells by direct cytotoxicity assays, and on the cells derived from kidney and liver. Strains that are Ly-mll (+) include C57BL/6, C57BL/10J, B10.S, C57BR/cdJ, C57L/J, and C57BL/KsJ. Other mouse strains so far tested are Ly-m11 (–). The strain distribution pattern distinguished Ly-mll from any known murine lymphocyte alloantigens, but it follows theH-3 ^a haplotype which is defined by skin transplantation. Linkage tests of nine congenic strains ofH-3 and/orH-13/a loci and five recombinant inbred lines including CXB, BXH, AKXL, SWXL, and BXD revealed no recombinations betweensH-3 andLy-m11 loci on chromosome 2. This newly discovered Ly-m11 alloantigen could itself constitute a minor histocompatibility antigen detectable by serological means.Abbreviations used in this paper RI recombinant inbred - H histocompatibility - a non-agouti - B10 C57BL/10Sn The prefix m (monoclonal) is used following a suggestion by Klein and co-workers (1979).     

Comparative biochemistry of murine arylsulfatase B

Arylsulfatase B was purified 4500-fold from liver and kidney of C57BL/6J mice. Hepatic and renal arysulfatase B are apparently determined by a single structural locus; however, posttranslational modification introduces inter- and intratissue microheterogeneity. Partially purified enzyme from C57BL/6J, A/J, C3H/HeJ, and SWR/J mice has similar catalytic properties. The 4500-fold-purified arylsulfatase B from SWR/J and C3H/HeJ mice was more thermostable than that from C57BL/6J and A/J mice, strongly suggesting that the thermostability difference reflects an alteration of the primary structure of the enzyme. Thermal stability of arylsulfatase B was pH dependent and markedly influenced by buffer anion. Variation of thermostability did not appear accountable for the observed activity variation among these strains; however, this possibility cannot be rigorously excluded by presently available data. Thirty-five murine strains were found to possess the As-1 ^a allele (thermostable enzyme), while As-1 ^b was largely restricted to A and C57 strains.This research was supported by PHS Biomedical Sciences Research Support Grant RR-07030.     

Endogenous nonecotropic proviruses mapped with oligonucleotide probes from the long terminal repeat region

We characterized endogenous proviruses in C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and C3H/HeJ mouse strains with oligonucleotide probes derived from long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences of three classes of nonecotropic murine leukemia virus. The segregation of proviral-host DNA junction fragments was followed in BXH and BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strain sets, and most fragments mapped readily to defined chromosomal regions. Most of the LTR fragments appear to correspond to proviruses mapped previously with oligonucleotide env region probes of the same viral class. At least 22 elements represent new proviral loci, no more than half of which may be solo LTRs, and an additional six may correspond to proviruses identified previously with less specific hybridization probes. Together with proviruses identified previously with env probes, the LTR probe-reactive elements represent the majority of endogenous murine leukemia proviruses in the mouse genome.     

Susceptibility to a mouse acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is influenced by theH-2

The development of a mouse acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS) induced following LP-BM5 MuLV infection depends on host genetic factors. Susceptible mice, such as C57BL/6J mice, develop a profound impairment of lymphoproliferative response to mitogens and hyperplasia of lymphoid organs and succumb to infection within 6 months. These changes do not occur in resistant mice, such as A/J mice. Resistance to MAIDS is a dominant trait since (C57BL/6JxA/J)F₁ hybrid mice did not develop any immune dysfunctions following infection. Genetic regulation of the trait of resistance/susceptibility to MAIDS was determined in AXB/BXA recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains (derived from resistant A/J and susceptible C57BL/6J progenitors). Two different criteria were used to determine their resistance or susceptibility to developing MAIDS: the gross pathologic evaluation of lymphoid organs at 13–15 weeks of infection, and survival. RI mouse strains segregated into two non-overlapping groups. The first group did not develop any significant pathology, and these mouse strains were considered as resistant to MAIDS. The second group showed the virus-induced pathological changes as well as an immunological dysfunction as seen in C57BL/6J progenitor mice, and these strains were thus considered as susceptible to MAIDS. This bimodal strain distribution pattern of resistance/susceptibility to MAIDS among the RI strains suggests that this phenotype is controlled by a single gene. Linkage analysis with other allelic markers showed a strong association between resistance/susceptibility to MAIDS and theH-2 complex. Possession of theH-2 ^b haplotype derived from C57BL/6J mice was associated with susceptibility to MAIDS, while theH-2 ^a haplotype conferred resistance to the disease. This finding was confirmed by demonstrating thatH-2 ^a congenics on the susceptible C57BL/10 background were as resistant to MAIDS as A/J mice which donated theH-2 ^a locus. Gene(s) within theH-2 complex thus represent the major regulatory mechanism of resistance/susceptibility to MAIDS.     

High‐throughput behavioral phenotyping in the expanded panel of BXD recombinant inbred strains

Genetic reference populations, particularly the BXD recombinant inbred (BXD RI) strains derived from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, are a valuable resource for the discovery of the bio‐molecular substrates and genetic drivers responsible for trait variation and covariation. This approach can be profitably applied in the analysis of susceptibility and mechanisms of drug and alcohol use disorders for which many predisposing behaviors may predict the occurrence and manifestation of increased preference for these substances. Many of these traits are modeled by common mouse behavioral assays, facilitating the detection of patterns and sources of genetic coregulation of predisposing phenotypes and substance consumption. Members of the Tennessee Mouse Genome Consortium (TMGC) have obtained phenotype data from over 250 measures related to multiple behavioral assays across several batteries: response to, and withdrawal from cocaine, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine; “ecstasy” (MDMA), morphine and alcohol; novelty seeking; behavioral despair and related neurological phenomena; pain sensitivity; stress sensitivity; anxiety; hyperactivity and sleep/wake cycles. All traits have been measured in both sexes in approximately 70 strains of the recently expanded panel of BXD RI strains. Sex differences and heritability estimates were obtained for each trait, and a comparison of early (N = 32) and recent (N = 37) BXD RI lines was performed. Primary data are publicly available for heritability, sex difference and genetic analyses using the MouseTrack database, and are also available in GeneNetwork.org for quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection and genetic analysis of gene expression. Together with the results of related studies, these data form a public resource for integrative systems genetic analysis of neurobehavioral traits.     

Genetic basis of murine antibacterial defense to streptococcal lung infection

To evaluate the effect of genetic background on antibacterial defense to streptococcal infection, eight genetically diverse strains of mice (A/J, DBA/2J, CAST/Ei, FVB/NJ, BALB/cJ, C57BL/6J, 129/SvImJ, and C3H/HeJ) and tlr2-deficient mice (C57BL/6^tlr2−/−) were infected with three doses of Streptococcus zooepidemicus (500, 5,000, or 50,000 colony-forming units) by alveolar challenge. There was a range of susceptibility between the strains at each dose and time point (6, 24, and 96 h). At the lowest dose, the 129/SvImJ and C3H/HeJ strains had significantly higher bacterial counts at all time points after infection, when compared to A/J, DBA/2J, CAST/Ei, FVB/NJ, which were resistant to infection at the low dose of innoculum. At the medium dose, 129/SvImJ and C3H/HeJ had higher bacterial counts, while A/J, DBA/2J, and BALB/cJ showed reduced streptococcal growth. After the highest dose of Streptococcus, there were minimal differences between strains, suggesting the protective impact of modifier genes can be overcome. TLR2-deficient animals contained increased bacterial load with reduced cytokines after 96 h when compared to C57BL/6J controls suggesting a role of innate immunity in late antibacterial defense. Overall, we identify vulnerable (129/SvlmJ and C3H/HeJ) and resistant (A/J, FVB, and DBA) mouse strains to streptococcal lung infection, which demonstrate divergent genetic expression profiles. These results demonstrate that innate differences in pulmonary host defense to S. zooepidemicus are dependent on host genetic factors.     

Host defenses in experimental scrub typhus: mapping the gene that controls natural resistance in mice

Natural resistance of mice to lethal ifections of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, strain Gilliam, is controlled by a single, autosomal, dominant gene, which we have designated Ric, with r and s representing the resistant nd susceptible alleles, respectively. Using three sets of recombinant inbred mouse strains (BXD, BXH, and BXJ), the Ric locus was mapped to Chromosome 5 closely linked to the retinal degeneration (rd) locus. This linkage was confirmed by a backcross analysis. Based on the RI strains and the C57BL/6Ty-le congenic strain (the only proven Ric-rd cross-over), we estimate the recombination frequency between Ric and rd to be 0.015. Three presumptive Ric-rd recombinants detected among 93 backcross mice may represent caes of incomplete penetrance of the resistance allele rather than recombination. Analyis of th C57BL/6JTy-le congenic strain indicates that Ric is proximal to rd on Chromosome 5. If so, the correct gene order is Pgm-1-W-Ric-rd-Gus.     

A High-Resolution Map in the Chromosomal Region Surrounding theLpsLocus

TheLpslocus on mouse chromosome 4 controls host responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide, a major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The C3H/HeJ inbred mouse strain is characterized by a mutantLpsallele (Lps^d) that renders it hyporesponsive to LPS and naturally tolerant of its lethal effects. To identify theLpsgene by a positional cloning strategy, we have generated a high-resolution linkage map of the chromosomal region surrounding this locus. We have analyzed a total of 1604 backcross mice from a preexisting interspecific backcross panel of 259 (Mus spretus× C57BL/6J)F1 × C57BL/6J and two novel panels of 597 (DBA/2J × C3H/HeJ)F1 × C3H/HeJ and 748 (C57BL/6J × C3H/HeJ)F1 × C3H/HeJ segregating atLps.A total of 50 DNA markers have been mapped in a 11.8-cM span overlapping theLpslocus. This positions theLpslocus within a 1.1-cM interval, flanked proximally by a large cluster of markers, including three known genes (Cd30l, Hxb,andAmbp), and distally by two microsatellite markers (D4Mit7/D4Mit178). The localization of theLpslocus is several centimorgans proximal to that previously assigned.     

Variation in Type 2 Diabetes-Related Phenotypes among Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mouse Strains

We recently have found that apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe^-/-) mice with the C57BL/6 background develop type 2 diabetes when fed a Western diet for 12 weeks. In the present study we constructed multiple Apoe^-/- mouse strains to find diabetes-related phenotyptic variations that might be linked to atherosclerosis development. Evaluation of both early and advanced lesion formation in aortic root revealed that C57BL/6, SWR/J, and SM/J Apoe^-/- mice were susceptible to atherosclerosis and that C3H/HeJ and BALB/cJ Apoe^-/- mice were relatively resistant. On a chow diet, fasting plasma glucose varied among strains with C3H/HeJ having the highest (171.1 ± 9.7 mg/dl) and BALB/cJ the lowest level (104.0 ± 6.6 mg/dl). On a Western diet, fasting plasma glucose rose significantly in all strains, with C57BL/6, C3H/HeJ and SWR/J exceeding 250 mg/dl. BALB/cJ and C3H/HeJ were more tolerant to glucose loading than the other 3 strains. C57BL/6 was sensitive to insulin while other strains were not. Non-fasting blood glucose was significantly lower in C3H/HeJ and BALB/cJ than C57BL/6, SM/J, and SWR/J. Glucose loading induced the 1st and the 2nd phase of insulin secretion in BALB/cJ, but the 2nd phase was not observed in other strains. Morphological analysis showed that BALB/cJ had the largest islet area (1,421,493 ± 61,244 μm²) and C57BL/6 had the smallest one (747,635 ± 41,798 μm²). This study has demonstrated strain-specific variations in the metabolic and atherosclerotic phenotypes, thus laying the basis for future genetic characterization.     

Spontaneous mutations in recombinant inbred mice: mutant toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) in BXD29 mice

Recombinant inbred (RI) mice are frequently used to identify QTL that underlie differences in measurable phenotypes between two inbred strains of mice. Here we show that one RI strain, C57BL/6J x DBA/2J (BXD29), does not develop an inflammatory response following inhalation of LPS. Approximately 25% of F2 mice [F1(BXD29 x DBA/2J) x F1] are also unresponsive to inhaled LPS, suggesting the presence of a recessive mutation in the BXD29 strain. A genomic scan of these F2 mice revealed that unresponsive animals, but not responsive animals, are homozygous for C57BL/6J DNA at a single locus on chromosome 4 close to the genomic location of Tlr4. All progeny between BXD29 and gene-targeted Tlr4-deficient mice are unresponsive to inhaled LPS, suggesting that the mutation in the BXD29 strain is allelic with Tlr4. Moreover, the intact Tlr4 receptor is not displayed on the cell surface of BXD29 macrophages. Finally, a molecular analysis of the Tlr4 gene in BXD29 mice revealed that it is interrupted by a large insertion of repetitive DNA. These findings explain the unresponsiveness of BXD29 mice to LPS and suggest that data from BXD29 mice should not be included when using BXD mice to study phenotypes affected by Tlr4 function. Our results also suggest that the frequency of such unidentified, spontaneously occurring mutations is an issue that should be considered when RI strains are used to identify QTL.