Phenotypic expression of the fused (Fu) gene in chimaeric mice

Abstract

SummaryThe dominant gene Fused (Fu) produces skeletal abnormalities during embryonic development. It was previously shown that C57BL/6 mice contain a suppressor ofFu, which acts after fertilization. Chimaeras were used to study whether this gene would suppress theFuphenotype after the 8-cell stage of embryo development. We found no effect of the suppressor gene onFuphenotype (its degree and frequency of expression) in chimaeric mice. We conclude that either the suppressor gene from C57BL/6 mice can only influenceFuexpression at the intracellular level orFuexpression is determined before the 8-cell embryonic stage.