Analysis of the albino-locus region of the mouse. II. Mosaic mutants

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Genetics; (United States)

OSTI ID:6311856

Russell, L B

Among 119 mutations involving the c locus that were recovered in the course of mouse specific-locus experiments with external radiations, 16 were found in mosaic, or fractional, mutants. The number of additional c-locus fractionals that could have occurred in these experiments and, for a variety of reasons, might not have been clearly identified, probably does not exceed the present number. There was no evidence for radiation induction of the fractionals, and even those occurring in the irradiated groups may thus be assumed to be of spontaneous origin. Since only two mutations in the control groups were found in whole-body mutants, it appears that the bulk of spontaneous c-locus mutations are fractionals. None of the mutations recovered in fractional mutants was homozygous lethal; 25% were viable intermediate alleles, and the remainder were albino-like mutants, all viable except for one subvital and one not tested. Genetic tests of the fractionals indicated no major selection against the new mutations, either gametically or in the progeny. For the group of fractionals as a whole, about one-half of the germinal tissue carried the mutation, indicating that the fractionals came from an overall blastomere population that was one-half mutant. Such a population could result from mutation in one strand of the gamete DNA, in a daughter chromosome derived from pronuclear DNA synthesis of the zygote, or in one of the first two blastomeres prior to replication. Since the mouse embryo does not stem from all of the cleavage products of the zygote, the frequency of fractionals observeed underestimates the frequency of mutational events that result in two types of blastomeres.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 6311856
• Journal Information: Genetics; (United States), Journal Name: Genetics; (United States) Vol. 91:1; ISSN GENTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400 -- Genetics
560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
DATA ANALYSIS
DNA
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
MAMMALS
MICE
MUTATIONS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RODENTS
SYNTHESIS
VERTEBRATES