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Presphenoidal synchondrosis fusion in DBA/2J mice
Allysa Adams1, Brandeis McBratney-Owen, Brittany Newby
1Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
The presphenoidal synchondrosis (PSS) growth plate closes in DBA/2J mice, unlike other strains. Its closure is genetically complex, influenced by different chromosomal regions depending on the genetic background.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial development
- Genetics of skeletal growth
- Mouse models in developmental biology
Background:
- Cranial base growth plates are crucial for skull development and facial positioning.
- The presphenoidal synchondrosis (PSS) is a key midline cranial base growth plate.
- Premature or abnormal PSS closure can impact craniofacial structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of PSS closure in the DBA/2J mouse strain.
- To determine if PSS closure is a Mendelian trait.
- To identify genetic loci influencing PSS closure.
Main Methods:
- Crossbreeding DBA/2J mice with C57BL/6J and DBA/1J strains.
- Analyzing PSS closure in F1, F1 backcross, and F1 intercross offspring.
- Utilizing genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to map genetic loci.
Main Results:
- PSS closure is genetically determined in DBA/2J mice.
- The inheritance pattern of PSS closure is not a simple Mendelian trait.
- A specific region on chromosome 11 in C57BL/6J influenced PSS closure frequency, but the homologous region in DBA/1J did not.
Conclusions:
- PSS closure in DBA/2J mice is a complex genetic trait.
- Different genetic loci modify PSS closure depending on the outcross strain (C57BL/6J vs. DBA/1J).
- This complexity highlights the intricate genetic regulation of cranial base development.
