Recessive mutation on mouse chromosome 13 associated with abnormal hair texture and cardiomyopathy

Abstract

AbstractAn autosomal recessive mutation (aht) associated with abnormal hair texture and cardiomyopathy spontaneously arose in the Y‐chromosome consomic mouse strain DH‐Chr YSS. The aht/aht mouse phenotypes closely resembled those of rul/rul mice, which were caused by a mutation in desmoplakin (Dsp) on chromosome 13. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping using (DDD/Sgn × DH‐Chr YSS‐aht heterozygotes) F2 mice demonstrated that aht is contiguous with Dsp on chromosome 13. However, no nucleotide changes were identified in the coding region of Dsp in aht/aht mice by whole‐exome sequencing. Therefore, the molecular nature of the aht mutation remains unclear. Nevertheless, aht/aht mice may serve as a new model for human diseases that are accompanied by abnormalities in the integumental and cardiovascular systems, including Carvajal‐Huerta syndrome.