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Title: Analysis of the albino-locus region of the mouse. I. Orgin and viability. [X and gamma radiation]

Journal Article · · Genetics; (United States)
OSTI ID:6354790

Numerous specific-locus experiments designed to test the mutagenic effect of external radiation have yielded, in over 3,600,000 animals observed, altogether 119 presumed mutations involving the c locus. Of these, 55 were viable and albino (c/sup av/), 13 were viable and of various intermediate pigment types (c/sup xv/), four were subvital (c/sup as/ and c/sup xs/), seven were neonatally lethal albinos (c/sup al/), 28 prenatally lethal albinos (c/sup al/); 12 died untested. All of the prenatally lethal and at least one of the neonatally lethal c-locus mutations (c/sup al/ classes) are probably deficiencies that we have analyzed extensively in other experiments. Since absence of the locus mimics albino in phenotype, the intermediates (c/sup xv/ and c/sup xs/ groups) probably resulted from intragenic changes. The class of viable albino mutants (c/sup av/) might include, in addition to intragenic changes, some extremely small deficiencies. The effects on viability of c-locus lethals (c/sup al'/s) in heterozygous condition are not drastic enough to be perceived in stocks of mixed genetic background except in the case of the two longest known deficiencies and a few others. Analysis of the relation between radiation treatment and type of c-locus mutants obtained shows that the relative frequency of viable mutations, for each germ-cell type, is greater for low-LET than for neutron irradiation; however, the difference for any individual cell type is not significant. The majority (66.7%) of mutations derived from x- or ..gamma..-ray irradiated spermatogonia are viable, and the proportion of ''intermediates'' among these viables is similar to that among presumed spontaneous c-locus mutations.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
OSTI ID:
6354790
Journal Information:
Genetics; (United States), Vol. 91:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English