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Published on: January 28, 2012
Cis-trans test shows a functional relationship between non-allelic lethal mutations in the T/t-complex
Cell
|July 1, 1983
Summary
Recessive lethal mutations in mouse T/t-complex exhibit defective genetic complementation. The cis-trans test revealed these mutations form a functional unit, suggesting a role for DNA plasticity in their genetic relationship.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Recessive lethal mutations in the mouse T/t-complex display characteristic defective genetic complementation.
- This phenomenon occurs even for mutations affecting different developmental stages and known to be nonallelic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic or functional relationship between different T/t-complex lethal mutations.
- To determine if defective complementation is a specific characteristic of these mutations.
Main Methods:
- Application of the cis-trans test.
- Utilizing well-defined recombinant t-chromosomes carrying multiple lethal mutations or lacking specific lethals.
Main Results:
- Defective complementation between different T/t-lethals was specifically observed in the trans configuration.
- Genes mapping up to 15 cM apart were shown to function as a unit.
Conclusions:
- The defective complementation in the trans configuration indicates that T/t-lethals form a functional unit.
- DNA plasticity is proposed as a potential mechanism to explain this genetic enigma.
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