The locus controlling pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity (Nat-2) is located on mouse chromosome 11

Melatonin is synthesized from serotonin by the enzymes serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyl-transferase (HIOMT). We have previously reported that C57BL/6 mice do not have SNAT activity because of a mutation in an autosomal gene which is responsible for the absence of normal SNAT activity. In the present study, we have tried to map the loci of Nat-2 (the locus controlling SNAT activity) on chromosomes using a set of the BxH recombinant inbred strains which were derived from an initial cross between C3H/He with SNAT and C57BL/6 without the enzyme. Based on strain distribution patterns (SDPs), a close linkage on chromosome 11 was found between Nat-2, Es-3 (esterase-3), Glk (the locus controlling galactokinase activity) and Myla (myosin alkali light chains expressed in cardiac atrial muscle). The linkage between Nat-2 and Es-3 was confirmed by a conventional linkage test and the recombination frequency between these loci was estimated to be 16.1 +/- 3.6% (mean +/- S.E.M.).