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M F Lyon

Publications and source records attributed to M F Lyon.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Genetic and molecular analysis of recessive alleles at the pink-eyed dilution (p) locus of the mouse.

Recessive mutant alleles at the pink-eyed dilution (p) locus on mouse chromosome 7 reduce pigmentation of both the coat and eyes. Here we describe the properties and complementation interactions of 10 p alleles, including 6 not previously reported. Several alleles that cause additional phenotypes affecting development, reproduction, and behavior were shown to be deletions by using DNA probes derived from the p region. An alignment of functional and marker-defined units is proposed, giving a linear complementation map that orders at least four functional loci. The characterization of a nested set of deletions around p will facilitate detailed molecular analyses of the genes and developmental functions associated with this part of the mouse genome.

Alleles↗

Deletion of mouse t-complex distorter-1 produces an effect like that of the t-form of the distorter.

An allele of the mouse brachyury locus, T22H, had been shown previously to involve a deletion of several markers in the proximal part of chromosome 17, and almost certainly includes deletion of the t-complex distorter gene Tcd-1. The effects of T22H on transmission ratio distortion and male sterility caused by the t-complex were compared with those of a partial t-haplotype th51, which carries the t-form of the distorter Tcd-1t. In combination with the complete haplotype tw32, T22H caused severe impairment of male fertility, but males of genotype T22H/t6 or T22H/th51 were normally fertile. These results were very similar to those obtained when th51 was in combination with the same haplotypes. In effect on transmission ratio T22H was again similar to th51, in that it produced a marked increase in the transmission of the haplotype t6. To test whether the effects of T22H were due to deletion of elements other than Tcd-1, the effect of T22H on transmission of the partial haplotype th2 was compared with that of the deletion Thp. Again T22H markedly increased transmission of the t-haplotype and the effect was significantly greater than the small effect produced by Thp. It is concluded that deletion of the distorter Tcd-1 has an effect like that of the t-form of this distorter, Tcd-1t, and hence that Tcd-1t must be an amorph or hypomorph. It is speculated that other t-complex distorters, Tcd-2t and Tcd-3t, may also be amorphs or hypomorphs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

A search for strain differences in response of mice to mutagenesis by thio-TEPA.

After treatment of mice with thio-TEPA Malashenko and colleagues found differences among inbred strains in yield of dominant lethals and of chromosome aberrations in bone marrow, which they attributed to genes affecting repair. An attempt was made to confirm this work by comparing yields of dominant lethals in different strains of females mated to the same strain of males. However, no differences were found, all strain combinations giving 42-49% dominant lethals after a dose of 2 mg/kg thio-TEPA to late spermatids. Thus, the existence of genetic differences in repair of thio-TEPA induced lesions between strains CBA and C57BL/6J and between C3H/He and 101/H is not confirmed. Possible reasons for the discrepant results are discussed.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone corresponding to the mouse t-complex gene Tcp-1x.

The mouse t complex on chromosome 17 is known to harbour many genes which have an important role in spermatogenesis. One of these, Tcp-1 has been cloned and shown to code for a protein probably essential for acrosome formation. During the isolation of a cDNA for Tcp-1 two other homologous sequences were recognized and described as Tcp-1x and Tcp-1y. In this paper we describe the isolation of a cDNA which has been shown by in situ hybridization to correspond to the Tcp-1x gene. Sequence analysis has confirmed that a 140 bp region of homology between Tcp-1 and Tcp-1x lies in the 3' portion of both genes. Northern blotting has revealed that the Tcp-1x gene is expressed abundantly in liver where two transcripts are detectable and hybrid selection shows that the gene codes for a 37 kDa protein. A search of the DNA database has failed to find any significant homology between Tcp-1x and any other sequences apart from Tcp-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterisation of a testis-expressed developmentally regulated gene from the distal inversion of the mouse t-complex.

We differentially screened a pool of mouse testis clones in order to identify genes important in germ cell development. One of the isolated clones was found to be expressed only in the male germ line where it is first detected at around the pachytene spermatocyte stage. This gene maps to a subregion of the t-complex in the distal inversion near, but not within, the tw18 and the th20 deletions. A comparison of the t and wild forms of the gene reveals a high degree of sequence conservation. This gene is associated with a CpG-rich island at its 5' end. It encodes a novel protein with extensive alpha-helical structure indicative of coiled-coil interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Search for differences among t haplotypes in distorter and responder genes.

Transmission ratio distortion due to the mouse t complex is though to be due to harmful effects of trans-acting distorter genes acting on a responder, with the t complex form of the responder being relatively resistant to this harmful action of the distorters. Previous work had indicated that naturally occurring t haplotypes differed in their responders or in distorters lying near the responder, with the result that animals doubly heterozygous for two responder-carrying haplotypes transmitted these haplotypes unequally. In the present work t haplotypes could be divided into three types on the basis of their transmission when doubly heterozygous with the responder-carrying partial haplotype tlowH. The majority, t0, t6, tw1, tw2 and tw73, were transmitted equally with tlowH, a second group, including tw5 and two haplotypes derived from it, were transmitted less frequently than tlowH, and the single member of a third group, tw32, was transmitted in excess of tlowH. This last result suggests that the underlying differences are in the responder itself, rather than in the distorters. Search for differences among t haplotypes in distorters produced some equivocal results possibly resulting from effects of genetic background. In particular, results of others suggesting presence of a fourth distorter, Tcd-4, were not confirmed.

Animals↗

Unusual molecular characteristics of a repeat sequence island within a Giemsa-positive band on the mouse X chromosome.

The mouse genome contains 50 copies of a long complex repeat unit localized as a repeat sequence island to the A3 Giemsa-positive (dark) band on the mouse X chromosome. The repeat units are not tandemly arranged but are juxtaposed and inserted by unrelated sequences of high repetition. The repeat sequence island possesses two notable features that have been suggested as diagnostic features of mammalian Giemsa-positive bands. First, the repeat sequence island encompasses a 1-megabase region devoid of CpG islands; second, it features a high concentration of L1 long interspersed repeat sequences.

Animals↗

The scurfy mouse mutant has previously unrecognized hematological abnormalities and resembles Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

The X chromosome-linked scurfy (sf) mutant of the mouse is recognized by the scaliness of the skin from which the name is derived and results in death of affected males at about 3-4 weeks of age. Consideration of known man-mouse homologies of the X chromosome prompted hematological studies, which have shown that the blood is highly abnormal. The platelet and erythrocyte counts are both reduced and become progressively lower relative to normal as the disease progresses. There is gastrointestinal bleeding, and most animals appear to die of severe anemia. By contrast, the leukocyte count is consistently raised. Some animals showed signs of infection but it is not yet clear whether there is immunodeficiency. Other features include the scaly skin and apparently reduced lateral growth of the skin, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea in some animals. The mutant resembles Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in man, which is characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, diarrhea, and immunodeficiency. The loci of the human and mouse genes lie in homologous segments of the X chromosome, although apparently in somewhat different positions relative to other gene loci. Scurfy differs from Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in that scurfy males are consistently hypogonadal.

Aging↗

Genetic and molecular analysis of the proximal region of the mouse t-complex using new molecular probes and partial t-haplotypes.

The t-complex is located on the proximal third of chromosome 17 in the house mouse. Naturally occurring variant forms of the t-complex, known as complete t-haplotypes, are found in wild mouse populations. The t-haplotypes contain at least four nonoverlapping inversions that suppress recombination with the wild-type chromosome, and lock into strong linkage disequilibrium loci affecting normal transmission of the chromosome, male gametogenesis and embryonic development. Partial t-haplotypes derived through rare recombination between t-haplotypes and wild-type homologs have been critical in the analysis of these properties. Utilizing two new DNA probes. Au3 and Au9, and several previously described probes, we have analyzed the genetic structure of several partial t-haplotypes that have arisen in our laboratory, as well as several wild-type chromosomes deleted for loci in this region. With this approach we have been able to further our understanding of the structural and dynamic characteristics of the proximal region of the t-complex. Specifically, we have localized the D17Tul locus as most proximal known in t-haplotypes, achieved a better structural analysis of the partial t-haplotype t6, and defined the structure and lethal gene content of partial t-haplotypes derived from the lethal tw73 haplotype.

Animals↗

The t complex polypeptide 1 (TCP-1) is associated with the cytoplasmic aspect of Golgi membranes.

The t complex polypeptide 1 (TCP-1) is a protein of unknown function expressed in large amounts during spermatogenesis. Rat monoclonal antibodies recognizing TCP-1 have been prepared and used to immunoprecipitate and Western blot a 57 kd protein from germ cell and tissue culture cell extracts. In tissue culture cells, indirect immunofluorescent localization of antigen indicated a perinuclear distribution similar to that of the Golgi apparatus. Analysis of the TCP-1 distribution in tissue culture cells showed that the polypeptide was associated with the cytoplasmic aspect of membranes of the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The distribution in spermatids suggested that TCP-1 was localized to structures often associated with the developing acrosome. The TCP-1 antigenic epitopes are highly conserved, allowing the protein to be identified in cells across a wide variety of vertebrate species and tissues. These experiments suggest that TCP-1 may be essential for transport of proteins through the exocytic pathway in all cells and required in large amounts for acrosome formation in developing spermatids.

Acrosome↗

Chromosome maps of man and mouse. IV.

Current knowledge of man-mouse genetic homology is presented in the form of chromosomal displays, tables and a grid, which show locations of the 322 loci now assigned to chromosomes in both species, as well as 12 DNA segments not yet associated with gene loci. At least 50 conserved autosomal segments with two or more loci have been identified, twelve of which are over 20 cM long in the mouse, as well as five conserved segments on the X chromosome. All human and mouse chromosomes now have conserved regions; human 17 still shows the least evidence of rearrangement, with a single long conserved segment which apparently spans the centromere. The loci include 102 which are known to be associated with human hereditary disease; these are listed separately. Human parental effects which may well be the result of genomic imprinting are reviewed and the location of the factors concerned displayed in relation to mouse chromosomal regions which have been implicated in imprinting phenomena.

Animals↗