Mapping of body weight loci on mouse chromosome X

Inheritance of overweight in humans appears to be under polygenic control. Study on the mouse model may help to determine candidate regions in human genome for the search of overweight genes. Inbred mouse strains showed wide variation in body weight and can provide an experimental model for the study of inheritance of overweight. By genetic linkage analysis, we report the mapping of two loci, named Bw1 and Bw2 (body weight 1 and 2), on Chromosome (Chr) X that strongly affect adult body weight in two interspecific testcross male populations (HSB) and ASB) of mice. In addition, another locus, named Bw3, is also mapped on Chr X in ASB populations. These loci account for up to 24% of the phenotypic variation in both populations. Considering the conserved synteny between mouse and humans Chr X, these results provide candidate regions on Chr X that can be tested for linkage with overweight in humans.