Analysis of the hotfoot (ho) locus by creation of an insertional mutation in a transgenic mouse.
Hotfoot (ho) mutation is a recessive trait in mice, characterized by motor disorder and male sterility, that maps to chromosome 6. We have identified a transgenic mouse pedigree with a similar trait. Using genetic and molecular approaches, we have demonstrated that the foreign DNA element is located in or near the ho locus. This new allele, designated hoJwg and presumably created by insertional mutagenesis, should make it possible to clone the ho gene. Male infertility in hoJwg male homozygotes was determined to be due to inability of sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida. This was demonstrated by rescuing mutant males by a new technique of gamete micromanipulation, zona pellucida drilling. These findings show that zona drilling is useful both for analysis and preservation of animals with reduced male fertility.
Brookdale Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029.
J W
JW
Gordon
J
J
Uehlinger
N
N
Dayani
B E
BE
Talansky
M
M
Gordon
G S
GS
Rudomen
P E
PE
Neumann
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019003:Deoxyribonuclease HpaII; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015723:Gene Library; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009154:Mutation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010641:Phenotype; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004247:DNA; D019003:Deoxyribonuclease HpaII; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific