Lysosomal Acid phosphatase deficiency: liver specific variant in the mouse

The number and classes of genes responsible for the final expression of lysosomal acid phosphatase were investigated in the mouse (Mus musculus ). In mouse tissues, lysosomal acid phosphatase activity was separated by gel electrophoresis into two major zones of activity. The cathodal zone of activity in liver of the SM/J inbred strain was almost completely absent, while the anodal zone was increased in activity. Other tissues from SM/J were not affected, nor were livers and other tissues in 27 inbred mouse strains. Genetic studies indicated that this deficiency variant segregated as an autosomal codominant gene which has been designated Apl to symbolize the acid phosphatase liver phenotype. The Apl gene was not linked to markers on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, or X. Electrophoretic, heat denaturation, neuraminidase treatment, tartrate inhibition studies and tissue mixing experiments suggested that the Apl gene was not a structural gene for acid phosphatase, but a separate gene that functions in liver and is responsible for controlling or modifying an acid phosphatase structural gene product.