Biochemical Genetic and Sexual Variations in Mouse Tear Proteins

Abstract

Electrophoretic variants and sex differences of mouse tear proteins have been ovserved in 14 inbred strains. A horizontal acrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.0 and staining technique were carried out according to the method of BALAKRISHNAN and ASHTON. After electrophoresis, interstrain variations of tear protein in the migrating region II were found. The F-type was characterized by the presence of fast migrating band, the S-type, slow migrating band and the O-type, lacking the both bands. This variant system was tentatively designated Mtp-1 (mouse tear protein system-1). The F-type was observed in C3H/He, CBA/N, C57BL/6, WB/Re, WC/Re and KK strains. The S-type was observed in DBA/2, C57L and NZB/JCL strains. The O-type was observed in BALB/c, NC, AKR, DDD and A/He strains. The mouse tear protein variations might be useful in the evalution of authenticity of experimental animals, when the genetic controls are confirmed. Furthermore, sex differences of mouse tear proteins in the migrating regions I, III, IV and V were found. It has been shown in these band patterns, that after the testosterone treatment to the female mouse, the Female-type was changed to the Male-type. But, estrogen treatment showed no effect. It has also been shown that the Maletype was changed to Female-type by castration.