The genetics ofSleek: a possible regulatory mutation of thetabby-crinkled-downlesssyndrome

Abstract

A new mutation, Sleek, similar in appearance to mutations at the Ta (tabby), cr (crinkled) and dl (downless) loci was investigated. [The phenotype of afflicted mice includes a thin, greasy coat, bare patches behind the ears, and abnormalities associated with the teeth and other epidermal structures.] It is inherited as an autosomal dominant and maps very close to dl on chromosome 13. Allelism with dl seems probable since Sleek interacts with dl but not with cr. The unusual occurrence of dominant and recessive alleles at the same locus which produce a similar mutant phenotype suggests that the locus might either code for a multimeric protein or a regulatory product.