Wild-derived Robertsonian translocation in mice. Chromosome 17, Rb (16:17)7, shows novel interactions with t-alleles

We have studied the effects of wild-derived (Rb7) and laboratory-derived (Rb1) Robertsonian translocations involving chromosome 17 on t-complex determined transmission ratio distortion and crossing-over suppression in mice. The Rb7 chromosome is significantly unlike all other wild-type chromosome 17s tested, while Rb1 is not. t0/Rb7 males are uniformly extremely high distorters (greater than 96 percent) while th2/Rb7 males are uniformly extremely low distorters. t0/Rb7 animals allow genetic recombination in the centromere to t-lethal region interval. These observations could be explained if the Rb7 chromosome contains one or more t-like regions.