Open AccessDahl (S × R) Rat Congenic Strain Analysis Confirms and Defines a Chromosome 17 Spatial Navigation Quantitative Trait Locus to <10 Mbp
Author(s) -
Victoria L. M. Herrera,
Khristine A. Pasion,
Glaiza A. Tan,
Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0058280
Subject(s) - congenic , quantitative trait locus , locus (genetics) , genetics , biology , strain (injury) , gene , anatomy
A quantitative trait locus (QTL) linked with ability to find a platform in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) was located on chromosome 17 ( Nav-5 QTL) using intercross between Dahl S and Dahl R rats. We developed two congenic strains, S.R17A and S.R17B introgressing Dahl R-chromosome 17 segments into Dahl S chromosome 17 region spanning putative Nav-5 QTL. Performance analysis of S.R17A, S.R17B and Dahl S rats in the Morris water maze (MWM) task showed a significantly decreased spatial navigation performance in S.R17B congenic rats when compared with Dahl S controls (P = 0.02). The S.R17A congenic segment did not affect MWM performance delimiting Nav-5 to the chromosome 17 65.02–74.66 Mbp region. Additional fine mapping is necessary to identify the specific gene variant accounting for Nav-5 effect on spatial learning and memory in Dahl rats.