Identification of quantitative trait loci for locomotor  activation and anxiety using closely related inbred  strains.
We carried out a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping experiment in two phenotypically similar inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and C58/J, using the open-field assay, a well-established model of anxiety-related behavior in rodents. This intercross was initially carried out as a control cross for an ethylnitrosurea mutagenesis mapping study. Surprisingly, although open-field behavior is similar in the two strains, we identified significant QTL in their F2 progeny. Marker regression identified a locus on Chr 8 having associations with multiple open-field measures and a significant interaction between loci on Chr 13 and 17. Together, the Chr 8 locus and the interaction effect form the core set of QTL controlling these behaviors with additional loci on Chr 1 and 6 present in a subset of the behaviors.
Bailey
J S
JS
Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, Department of Genetics, San Diego, CA, USA.
Grabowski-Boase
L
L
Steffy
B M
BM
Wiltshire
T
T
Churchill
G A
GA
Tarantino
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics*; D009153:Mutagens; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012044:Regression Analysis
D009153:Mutagens; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea