Multiple loci contribute to genome-wide recombination levels in male mice.
Recent linkage-based studies in humans suggest the presence of loci that affect either genome-wide recombination rates, utilization of recombination hotspots, or both. We have been interested in utilizing cytological methodology to directly assess recombination in mammalian meiocytes and to identify recombination-associated loci. In the present report we summarize studies in which we combined a cytological assay of recombination in mouse pachytene spermatocytes with QTL analyses to identify loci that contribute to genome-wide levels of recombination in male meiosis. Specifically, we analyzed MLH1 foci, a marker of crossovers, in 194 F2 male mice derived from a subspecific cross between CAST/EiJ and C57BL/6J parental strains. We then used these data to uncover loci associated with individual variation in mean MLH1 values. We identified seven recombination-associated loci across the genome (on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 17, and X), indicating that there are multiple recombination "setting" loci in mammalian male meiosis.
School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. brenda_murdoch@wsu.edu
Brenda
B
Murdoch
Nichole
N
Owen
Sofia
S
Shirley
Sara
S
Crumb
Karl W
KW
Broman
Terry
T
Hassold
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D033481:Chromosomes, Mammalian; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies / Q000379:methods*; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013090:Spermatocytes
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C501485:Mlh1 protein, mouse; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1