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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse
Published on: November 10, 2010
A common polygenic basis for quinine and PROP avoidance in mice
1Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306-1270, USA.
Chemical Senses
|July 21, 1998
Summary
Mouse bitter taste perception is polygenic, with multiple genes influencing quinine and 6-propylthiouracil (PROP) avoidance. Genetic mapping identified several chromosome regions linked to these bitter taste traits.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Inbred mouse strains exhibit significant variation in bitter compound perception.
- While some bitter taste variation is monogenic, quinine avoidance suggests polygenic inheritance.
- The Soa locus influences bitter sensitivity, but other loci are also involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of bitter taste perception in mice, specifically quinine and 6-propylthiouracil (PROP) avoidance.
- To identify potential quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to polygenic bitter taste phenotypes.
- To explore the common genetic underpinnings of bitter compound perception.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 12 BXH/Ty recombinant inbred mouse strains derived from C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ.
- Conducted two-bottle preference tests with quinine sulfate and PROP solutions.
- Performed genome-wide association analysis correlating phenotypic data with 212 chromosome markers.
Main Results:
- Recombinant inbred strains showed intermediate avoidance patterns, confirming polygenic inheritance.
- Avoidance patterns for quinine and PROP were highly correlated (r = 0.98), indicating shared genetic control.
- Eight chromosome markers on five chromosomes significantly correlated with bitter avoidance, with six markers linked to both phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Bitter taste perception for quinine and PROP in mice is controlled by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance).
- Common polygenes likely influence the avoidance of both quinine and PROP.
- This study identified chromosomal regions containing QTLs for bitter taste, contributing to understanding gustatory genetics.
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