Molecular cloning and genetic mapping of the t complex responder candidate gene family

Male transmission ratio distortion (TRD) is a property of mouse t haplotypes requiring the t complex responder locus (Tcr). Tcr maps to the central region of t haplotypes, and is embedded within a series of large duplicated tracts of DNA known as "T66 elements." In previous work, a family of genes (the "T66" genes) was identified within this region that encodes male germ cell-specific transcripts. Genetic and molecular data indicate that one of these genes represents Tcr. Here, we describe the molecular cloning of the four members of the T66 gene family, the genetic mapping of these genes to three adjacent t haplotype loci, and comparative restriction enzyme analysis of the genes. The results indicate that these genes are highly similar to one another, and were created by recent, complex duplication events. This suggests that a minor alteration(s) could have been responsible for conferring "mutant" responder activity upon Tcr, while the other homologs retained "wild-type" biochemical function. In addition, we have identified and mapped three T66 genes in wild-type t complexes. They reside in two separate loci at the opposite ends of the proximal t complex inversion, and are separated by at least 3 cM.