Absence of mitochondrial malic enzyme in mice carrying two complementing lethal albino alleles

Abstract

SUMMARYMitochondrial malic enzyme (MOD-2) was found to be missing in partially complementing genotypes between lethal deletion alleles at the albino locus in Chromosome 7 of the mouse. Since such partial complementers survive to adulthood, the absence of normal mitochondrial malic enzyme is compatible with life; however, the sterility of both females and males may be correlated with this enzyme deficiency. Of the six radiation-induced lethal albino mutations, five includedeletions for theMod-2locus mapping 1 centimorgan distally fromc.Our data indicate that the maximum genetic distance occupied by any of these deletions is 6 centimorgans.