Chr
Chromosome
deletion complexes in model organisms serve as valuable genetic tools for the
functional and physical annotation of complex genomes. Among their many roles,
deletions can serve as mapping tools for simple or quantitative trait loci (QTLs), genetic reagents for regional mutagenesis
experiments, and, in the case of mice, models of human contiguous gene deletion
syndromes. Deletions also are uniquely suited for identifying regions of the
genome containing haploinsufficient or imprinted
loci. Here we describe the creation of new deletions at the proximal end of
mouse Chromosome (Chr) 17 by using the technique of
ES cell irradiation and the extensive molecular characterization of these and
previously isolated deletions that, in total, cover much of the mouse t
complex. The deletions are arranged in five overlapping complexes that collectively
span about 25 Mbp. Furthermore, we have integrated
each of the deletion complexes with physical data from public and private mouse
genome sequences, and our own genetic data, to resolve some discrepancies.
These deletions will be useful for characterizing several phenomena related to
the t complex and t haplotypes, including
transmission ratio distortion, male infertility, and the collection of t haplotype embryonic lethal mutations. The deletions will
also be useful for mapping other loci of interest on proximal Chr 17, including T-associated sex reversal ( Tas) and head-tilt ( het). The new deletions have thus far been used to localize
the recently identified t haplolethal ( Thl1) locus to an approximately 1.3-Mbp interval.
PMID: 14724736 [PubMed - in process]