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Ped gene deletion polymorphism frequency in wild mice.
Judith A Newmark1, Frank Sacher, Gwilym S Jones
1Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
The Journal of Experimental Zoology
|July 13, 2002
Summary
The Ped gene, influencing embryo development and reproduction, was studied in wild mice. All 29 wild mice tested were positive for the Ped gene, suggesting a potential reproductive advantage in this population.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Reproductive Science
Background:
- The Ped gene regulates preimplantation embryo cleavage rates and survival.
- Expression of the Ped gene product, Qa-2 protein, accelerates embryonic development.
- The Ped gene exhibits pleiotropic effects on reproduction, conferring a reproductive advantage to Qa-2 positive individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of the Ped gene deletion polymorphism in a free-living wild mouse population.
- To determine if the Ped gene's presence correlates with reproductive advantage in wild Mus musculus.
Main Methods:
- Genomic DNA was extracted from tail tips of 29 wild Mus musculus specimens.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was employed to amplify a specific region of the Ped gene.
- Known Qa-2 positive and negative mice served as controls to validate the assay.
Main Results:
- All 29 wild mice analyzed were found to be positive for the Ped gene.
- The study confirmed the presence of the Ped gene in all sampled free-living wild mice.
Conclusions:
- The high frequency of the Ped gene in this wild mouse population is consistent with its dominant nature and associated reproductive advantage.
- While all mice were Qa-2 positive, the assay could not differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous states, leaving open the possibility of segregating Qa-2 deletion polymorphism in the population.