Expression of GM1 and GD1a in mouse liver is linked to the H-2 complex on chromosome 17

GM2 containing NeuGc was a major ganglioside in the liver of most inbred strains of mouse; A/J (H-2a), C57BL/10 (H-2b), BALB/c (H-2d), C3H/He (H-2k), etc., but GM1(NeuGc) and GD1a(NeuGc) in addition to GM2(NeuGc) were detected in the liver of several strains such as SWM/Ms, SJL/J (H-2s), SL/QDJ (H-2s), SWR/J (H-2s), PL/J (H-2u), and RFM/Ms (H-2f) and a wild-derived strain as well, M. Cas-Qzn (H-2wc1, tentative designation). GM1(NeuGc) and GD1a(NeuGc) were also expressed in the liver of several strains of H-2 congenic mouse; B10. Cas-Qzn (H-2wc1), B10.S (H-2s), B10.G (H-2q), A.SW/Sn (H-2s), and C3H.JK (H-2j), although the respective inbred-partner strains had only GM2(NeuGc) as a major component. This difference of the ganglioside composition between H-2 congenic and inbred-partner strains suggests that a gene for expression of GM1(NeuGc) and GD1a(NeuGc) is closely linked to the H-2 complex. The locus was mapped at the left outside the H-2 complex on chromosome 17 by analysis of H-2 recombinant mice.