The murine gamma-chain of the T cell receptor is closely linked to a spermatocyte specific histone gene and the beige coat color locus on chromosome 13.
With the use of standard genetic techniques, we have mapped the T cell gamma-chain gene locus (Tcrg) to the proximal end of mouse chromosome 13. Close genetic linkage was demonstrated between a restriction fragment length polymorphism in the Tcrg locus and a locus (HlS) encoding a spermatocyte-specific histone electrophoretic variant (HlS) by using recombinant inbred strains. Because HlS is closely linked to the dominant visible marker extra toes (Xt), Tcrg must be within 5 cM of the beige (bg) locus. Mice homozygous for the recessive mutation beige (bg/bg) show diminished pigmentation, enlarged lysosomes in granulocytes, and a selective deficiency of natural killer cell function. The bg mutation in mice is an animal model for humans with Chediak-Higashi syndrome; we speculate that the human gamma-chain may be closely linked to the human mutation and may be a useful diagnostic tool. Seven restriction enzymes identify five haplotypes of the highly polymorphic gamma-chain in mice.
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005838:Genotype; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D006657:Histones; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes