EFFECTS OF THE LUXOID GENE (Zu) ON LIVER ESTERASE ISOZYMES OF THE MOUSE1

LTHOUGH the esterases can be separated in column chromotography or by A the use of paper or agar gel electrophoresis, the introduction of starch gel and acrylamide gel systems has made it possible to conveniently sort out and quantitatively measure the multiple molecular forms (isozymes) of esterases. In recent years evidence has been accumulating which indicates genetic control over these isozymes. In the mouse, POPP and POPP (1962) demonstrated among inbred strains of mice three esterase isozymes which appeared to be controlled by alleles at a single locus; and PETRAS (1963) presented data suggesting genetic control of another isozyme by a pair of autosomal alleles. With the above background in mind, as well as the work of HUNTER, et al. (1964) which indicated the essentially progressive appearance of the esterase enzymes throughout development, a system was devised to compare the distribution of non-specific esterases in the tissues of animals whose phenotypes are manifestations of alternative alleles at a single locus. The results of these experiments have been reported briefly (CENTER and HUNTER 1966) and are presented more fully here.