Reduced pigmentation (rp), a new coat colour gene with effects on kidney lysosomal glycosidases in the mouse

Abstract

A spontaneous autosomal mutation in C57BL/Tb mice, provisionally called reduced pigmentation, symbol rp, has pronounced effects on three kidney lysosomal glycosidase activities. Homozygous rprp mice have significantly higher activities of β-galactosidase, β-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase than their heterozygous litter-mates. Homozygotes have light ears and tails, diluted fur and dark eyes. The mutation is not allelic to any known to affect lysosomal functions, or to a number of pigmentation variants with similar phenotypic effects. The locus is on chromosome 7.