Experiment
Pbd2, a QTL associated with peak bone density, was confirmed using congenic strain P6.P2-Pbd2b. P6.P2-Pbd2b carries a 15 cM interval of mouse Chromosome 13 derived from the high bone density SAMP2 strain on the genetic background of the osteoporotic strain SAMP6. This 15 cM congenic region encompasses markers D13Mit174, D13Mit135, D13Mit115, D13Mit266, D13Mit60, D13Mit117, D13Mit177, and D13Mit88. The congenic strain indeed exhibits increased bone density compared to the osteoporotic SAMP6 backgroundstrain, thus confirming the presence of the Pbd2 QTL. A possible candidate gene, Inhba, found at 10 cM on chromosome 13, was investigated but no difference in expression between SAMP2 and SAMP6 could be found. Another candidate gene is Bmp6, found at 20 cM on chromosome 13. Polymorphisms in Bmp6 exist between strains SAMP2 and SAMP6 and this candidate gene is being studied further.
Analysis Tools