Mapping an Overdominant Quantitative Trait Locus for Heterosis of Body Weight in Mice

Author: Ishikawa, Akira

Source: Journal of Heredity, Volume 100, Number 4, 25 March 2009 , pp. 501-504(4)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

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Abstract:

The genetic basis of heterosis has not been elucidated. Previously, a congenic mouse strain with a 44-Mb genomic region of proximal chromosome 2 containing the allele derived from wild Mus musculus castaneus at Pbwg1, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for body weight and growth, has been developed. In this study, to fine-map and characterize body weight QTLs on the congenic region, QTL analysis of body weight at 1, 3, 6, and 10 weeks after birth was performed on a population of 265 F₂ intercross mice between the developed congenic strain and its background strain C57BL/6J. A significant QTL (named Pbwg1.10) affecting body weight at 6 and 10 weeks of age was identified within an approximately 21-Mb support interval. Surprisingly, Pbwg1.10 had an overdominance effect and caused heterosis for body weight. This result supported the overdominance hypothesis explaining heterosis.

Keywords: body weight; heterosis; mice; overdominance; QTL

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esp004

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