Genetic interaction between a maternal factor and the zygotic genome controls the intestine length in PRM/Alf mice.
Postoperative management of small and large bowel resections would be helped by use of intestinotrophic molecules. Here, we present a mouse inbred strain called PRM/Alf that is characterized by a selective intestinal lengthening. We show that PRM/Alf intestine is one-third longer compared with other inbred strains. The phenotype is acquired mostly during the postnatal period, before weaning. Its genetic determinism is polygenic, and involves a strong maternal effect. Cross-fostering experiments revealed that the dam's genotype acts synergistically with the offspring's genotype to confer the longest intestine. Moreover, genes in the offspring have a direct effect on intestine length. Possible involvement of milk growth factors and identification of candidate genes are discussed.
Aubin-Houzelstein
Geneviève
G
UMR 955 INRA-ENVA de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94704 Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.
Da Silva
Nelly R
NR
Bellier
Sylvain
S
Salaün
Pierrick
P
Montagutelli
Xavier
X
Panthier
Jean-Jacques
JJ
D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D005111:Extrachromosomal Inheritance; D005260:Female; D016678:Genome; D005838:Genotype; D007422:Intestines / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D009035:Mothers; D020412:Multifactorial Inheritance; D010641:Phenotype; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D015053:Zygote / Q000378:metabolism*
D001685:Biological Factors