Positional identification of TNFSF4, encoding OX40 ligand, as a gene that influences atherosclerosis susceptibility.

Ath1 is a quantitative trait locus on mouse chromosome 1 that renders C57BL/6 mice susceptible and C3H/He mice resistant to diet-induced atherosclerosis. The quantitative trait locus region encompasses 11 known genes, including Tnfsf4 (also called Ox40l or Cd134l), which encodes OX40 ligand. Here we report that mice with targeted mutations of Tnfsf4 had significantly (P View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A torrid zone on mouse chromosome 1 containing a cluster of recombinational hotspots.

Within the 2.38-Mb Ath1 region of mouse chromosome 1, 42 of 45 genetic crossovers from crosses between C57BL/6J (B6) and either C3H/HeJ (H) or Mus spretus (SPRET) occurred in four zones (A-D); zone A, 100 kb long, contained a cluster of at least four recombination hotspots. F1 sperm assays indicate that within this "torrid zone" the most active hotspot (A3) can initiate recombination on H and SPRET but not B6 chromosomes.

Quantitative trait loci that determine plasma lipids and obesity in C57BL/6J and 129S1/SvImJ inbred mice.

The plasma lipid concentrations and obesity of C57BL/6J (B6) and 129S1/SvImJ (129) inbred mouse strains fed a high-fat diet containing 15% dairy fat, 1% cholesterol, and 0.5% cholic acid differ markedly. To identify the loci controlling these traits, we conducted a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of 294 (B6 x 129) F(2) females fed a high-fat diet for 14 weeks.

Genetic analysis of blood pressure in C3H/HeJ and SWR/J mice.

Hypertension is a complex phenotype induced by multiple environmental and genetic factors. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis is a powerful method for identifying genomic regions underlying complex diseases. We conducted a QTL analysis of blood pressure in mice using 217 F(2) progeny (males and females) from a cross between the normotensive C3H/HeJ and hypertensive SWR/J inbred strains.

Influence of sex and diet on quantitative trait loci for HDL cholesterol levels in an SM/J by NZB/BlNJ intercross population.

To investigate the dependence of HDL quantitative trait loci (QTL) on sex and diet, we generated a large intercross population of mice from parental strains SM/J and NZB/BlNJ. We measured HDL levels in progeny fed a chow diet and measured them again after 6, 12, and 16 weeks of feeding a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. QTL analysis was performed on the 260 female and 253 male F(2) progeny.

Quantitative trait loci analysis for plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations and atherosclerosis susceptibility between inbred mouse strains C57BL/6J and 129S1/SvImJ.

Objective: The C57BL/6 (B6) and 129 mouse inbred strains differ markedly in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations and atherosclerosis susceptibility after a high-fat diet consumption. To identify loci controlling these traits, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis.

Methods And Results: We fed a high-fat diet to 294 (B6x129S1/SvImJ)F2 females for 14 weeks, measured plasma HDL concentrations and size of aortic fatty-streak lesions, genotyped F2 females, and performed QTL analysis.

The phytochrome gene family in tomato and the rapid differential evolution of this family in angiosperms.

A reexamination of the genome of the tomato (renamed Solanum lycopersicum L.) indicates that it contains five, or at most perhaps six, phytochrome genes (PHY), each encoding a different apoprotein (PHY). Five previously identified tomato PHY genes have been designated PHYA, PHYB1, PHYB2, PHYE, and PHYF.

Characterization of the gene encoding the apoprotein of phytochrome B2 in tomato, and identification of molecular lesions in two mutant alleles.

The structure of the gene encoding the apoprotein of tomato phytochrome B2 (PHYB2) has been determined from genomic and cDNA sequences. The coding region is organized into four exons, like almost every other angiosperm phytochrome (phy). The deduced phyB2 apoprotein (PHYB2) consists of 1121 amino acids, with 82, 74 and 70% identity to tomato PHYB1, Arabidopsis PHYB, and Arabidopsis PHYD, respectively.