Evidence for linkage between four esterase loci in the rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Two new esterase polymorphisms have been described in tissue homogenates of the four rat strains August/Orl, LEW/Orl, Long Evans/Orl, and WAG/Orl. Independent expression of these polymorphisms in the different strains and in various tissues of a particular animal agrees with the separate genetic control hypothesis; the gene symbols Es-4 and Es-5 have been assigned to the loci. Transmission of both genes follows a normal autosomal recessive Mendelian pattern; preliminary data indicate tight linkage between these loci and the previously described Es-2 and Es-3 loci.