# ORGANIZATION AND EXPRESSION OF THE MOUSE T COMPLEX

> **NIH NIH R01** · PRINCETON UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $317,811

## Abstract

A tau haplotype is a variant form of the proximal portion of mouse
chromosome 17 that has evolved the ability to propagate itself at the
expense of wild-type meiotic partners.  Males that are heterozygous for a
tau haplotype can transmit it as an intact genetic unit to 95% or more of
their off spring.  This phenotype, known as transmission ration distortion
(TRD), results from the genetic interaction of a series of tau-specific
alleles at loci distributed along the 15 cM region of a tau haplotype.  Two
types of TRD loci have been defined.  One is the tau complex responder
(Tcr) locus which acts in a haploid-specific manner to determine which
homolog of chromosome 17 will be transmitted at a high ratio.  The second
is the class tau complex disorder (Tcd) loci which can act in cis or trans
configuration to Tcr and are defined by their ability to control the
absolute level at which transmission ratios are distorted.  The goal of the
first three specific aims of this proposal is an increased understanding of
the TRD phenotype and tau haplotype effects on sperm function.  In
particular, the first specific aim is directed toward a further analysis of
the expression & function of a recently-cloned gene family that includes a
strong candidate for the Tcr locus.  Three types of experiments are
proposed:  (1) PCR analysis of patterns of expression and transcript
processing during sequential stages of haploid germ cell differentiation;
(2) transgenic studies of the functionality of the candidate Tcr gene; and
(3) analysis of polypeptide products from the candidate Tcr gene.  The
second specific aim is directed toward studies of the Tcd loci.
Experiments similar to those described above will be performed on a cloned
candidate for one of the Tcd loci, and additional Tcd loci will be cloned
based on the genetics and molecular biology of the tau system.  The third
specific aim is directed toward a genetic analysis of a tau
haplotype-induced sterility phenotype.  Finally, the goal of the fourth
specific aim is a better understanding of the evolutionary history of tau
haplotypes.  This will be accomplished through the construction of
phylogenetic trees (by a maximum parsimony algorithm) for loci distributes
along the tau region.

The ultimate objective of the research described in this proposal is to use
the tau haplotype system as a vehicle with which to gain insight towards
(1) general principles of germ cell differentiation & the role played in
this process by haploid gene expression, and (2) general principles of
chromosomal evolution in mice.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197983
- **Project number:** 5R01HD020275-11
- **Recipient organization:** PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NJ1YPQXQG7U5
- **Principal Investigator:** LEE M SILVER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $317,811
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-09-30 → 1995-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197983

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197983, ORGANIZATION AND EXPRESSION OF THE MOUSE T COMPLEX (5R01HD020275-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197983. Licensed CC0.

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