Allelic variation at several different genetic loci determines the major urinary protein phenotype of inbred mouse strains

Abstract

Summary: We have examined the major urinary protein (MUP) phenotype of three inbred mouse strains by one-dimensional isoelectric focusing in acrylamide gels. Each strain gave a distinct pattern of major and minor bands. In the three strains together, seven major and about seven minor bands were observed. F1 phenotypes were intermediate. F2 phenotypes can be explained by recombination between allelic variants at four or more different genetic loci. We propose that variation in MUP phenotype is due in fact, to allelic variation at approximately seven structural gene loci, some of which are linked on chromosome 4. The remainder may or may not be linked to these.