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Frequent DNA polymorphisms exist in inbred CBA/J and C3H/HeN mice

B Yuan1, A Shum-Siu, E M Lentsch

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, J. Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.

Genomics
|November 15, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Microsatellite polymorphisms are common in some inbred mouse strains like CBA/J, but absent in others. Researchers must test for these genetic variations before conducting studies in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Animal Models

Background:

  • Inbred mouse strains are crucial for genetic research.
  • Previous studies noted occasional DNA polymorphisms in mice.
  • The prevalence and nature of microsatellite polymorphisms across strains were not fully characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency and stability of microsatellite polymorphisms in different inbred mouse strains.
  • To determine if observed polymorphisms represent instability or an inherited trait.
  • To highlight the importance of pre-study genetic screening in mouse models.

Main Methods:

  • Microsatellite analysis was performed on DNA from multiple inbred mouse strains (CBA/J, C3H/HeN, DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ).
  • Polymorphisms were assessed across numerous microsatellite loci.
  • Longitudinal analysis of CBA/J mice propagated through brother-sister mating was conducted over 5 years.

Main Results:

  • CBA/J and C3H/HeN mice exhibited microsatellite alleles at over one-third of tested loci.
  • DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, and BALB/cJ mice showed no detectable DNA polymorphisms.
  • Polymorphisms in CBA/J mice were stable, not indicative of microsatellite instability or a mutator phenotype, and appeared to be inherited traits.

Conclusions:

  • Microsatellite polymorphism frequency is strain-specific in inbred mice.
  • Pre-existing genetic polymorphisms must be identified before initiating genetic studies in mice.
  • The inheritance pattern of these polymorphisms suggests a non-Mendelian, potentially complex genetic basis.

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