Developmental studies on an apparent cell-lethal mutant gene-ut-in the Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum

The discovery of a new mutant gene in stocks of the Mexican axolotl derived from breeding stock of the Hubrecht Laboratory, the Netherlands, is described. The gene appears to be a simple recessive and displays complete penetrance. ut/ut larvae develop normally through hatching, but begin to lag in growth and display characteristics defects in gill and limb formation shortly thereafter. The results of parabiosis of normal and mutant embryos, as well as embryological transplants of mutant limb and branchial rudiments, support the conclusion that the gene ut is expressed as an 'autonomous-cell lethal'. Despite gross morphological defects in ut/ut larvae, comparisons between normal and mutant animals of the protein spectra of various tissues and organs revealed no substantial differences. A subtle change in the metabolism of ut/ut larvae apparently, therefore, leads to developmental arrest.