[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Genetics Teaching

The genetic control of mouse coat color and its applications in gene-tics teaching

Expand
  • Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China

Received date: 2014-07-10

  Online published: 2014-10-20

Abstract

Mice are the most commonly used mammalian model. The coat colors of mice are typical Mendelian traits, which have various colors such as white, black, yellow and agouti. The inheritance of mouse coat color is usually stated as an example only in teaching the knowledge of recessive lethal alleles. After searched the related literatures and summarized the molecular mechanisms of mouse coat color inheritance, we further expanded the application of this example into the introduction of the basic concepts of alleles and Mendelian laws, demonstration of the gene structure and function, regulation of gene expression, gene interaction, epigenetic modification, quantitative genetics, as well as evolutionary genetics. By running this example through the whole genetics-teaching lectures, we help the student to form a systemic and developmental view of genetic analysis. At the same time, this teaching approach not only highlights the advancement and integrity of genetics, but also results in a good teaching effect on inspiring the students’ interest and attracting students’ attention.

Cite this article

Wanjin Xing, Morigen . The genetic control of mouse coat color and its applications in gene-tics teaching[J]. Hereditas(Beijing), 2014 , 36(10) : 1062 -1068 . DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1005.2014.1062

References

[1] 邢万金, 哈斯阿古拉. 基因是什么?分子遗传学教学中的体会和理解. 生物学杂志, 2012, 29(4): 92-95.
[2] 莫日根, 苏慧敏. 遗传学教学内容中与其他课程重叠部分的处理. 高校生物学教学研究 (电子版), 2011, 1(2): 10-13.
[3] 莫日根, 苏慧敏. 浅议遗传学教学改革. 生物学杂志, 2012, 29(3): 105-107.
[4] 莫日根, 苏慧敏, 扈廷茂. 遗传学双语教学改革的实践与体会. 生物学杂志, 2011, 28(4): 96-98.
[5] 莫日根, 阿拉坦高勒, 苏慧敏. 以遗传信息为主线的遗传学教学架构及与其他课程的衔接. 遗传, 2011, 33(6): 661-664.
[6] 侯丙凯. 巴氏小体案例在遗传学教学中的应用. 遗传, 2012, 34(4): 503-508.
[7] 在遗传学教学中如何突出以基因为中心. 中山大学学报论丛, 2001, 21(5): 80-85.
[8] 李晓莹, 怀聪, 王诗铭, 乔守怡, 卢大儒. 以人类血型为遗传学案例教学的思考与实践. 遗传, 2013, 35(8): 1040-1044.
[9] 张飞雄, 胡英考, 蔡民华, 赵昕. 概念图在遗传学教学中的探索与应用. 遗传, 2010, 32(8): 864-868.
[10] JM, Rosenquist T, Götz J, Martin GR. FGF5 as a regulator of the hair growth cycle: evidence from targeted and spontaneous mutations. Cell , 1994, 78(6): 1017- 1025.
[11] RA, Travisano M, Tahiliani KG. Diet-induced hypermethylation at agouti viable yellow is not inherited transgenerationally through the female. FASEB J , 2007, 21(12): 3380-3385.
[12] DC, Weidman JR, Waterland RA, Jirtle RL. Maternal genistein alters coat color and protects A vy mouse offspring from obesity by modifying the fetal epigenome. Environ Health Perspect , 2006, 114(4): 567-572.
[13] AC, Nelson KK, Siracusa LD. Molecular basis of the pleiotropic phenotype of mice carrying the hypervariable yellow ( A hvy ) mutation at the agouti locus. Genetics , 1996, 142(2): 557-567.
[14] SJ, Michaud EJ, Woychik RP. Molecular characterization of the mouse agouti locus. Cell , 1992, 71(7): 1195-1204.
[15] D, Willard D, Patel IR, Kadwell S, Overton L, Kost T, Luther M, Chen W, Woychik RP, Wilkison WO, Cone RD. Agouti protein is an antagonist of the melanocyte-stimula-ting-hormone receptor. Nature , 1994, 371(6500): 709-802.
[16] H, Duhl DM, Millar SE, Miller KA, Barsh GS. Differences in dorsal and ventral pigmentation result from regional expression of the mouse agouti gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA , 1994, 91(12): 5667-5671.
[17] DM, Stevens ME, Vrieling H, Saxon PJ, Miller MW, Epstein CJ, Barsh GS. Pleiotropic effects of the mouse lethal yellow ( A y ) mutation explained by deletion of a maternally expressed gene and the simultaneous production of agouti fusion RNAs. Development , 1994, 120(6): 1695- 1708.
[18] DMJ, Vrieling H, Miller KA, Wolff GL, Barsh GS. Neomorphic agouti mutations in obese yellow mice. Nat Genet , 1994, 8(1): 59-65.
[19] CM, Perry WL, Siracusa LD, Rasberry C, Cobb L, Cattanach BM, Kovatch R, Copeland NG, Jenkins NA. Molecular genetic characterization of six recessive viable alleles of the mouse agouti locus. Genetics , 1995, 140(1): 255-265.
[20] M, Madjid N, Ogren SO, Meister B. Down- regulated expression of agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of hyperphagic and obese tub/tub mice. Brain Res Mol Brain Res , 2004, 125(1-2): 129-139.
[21] MW, Woods SC, Porte D Jr, Seeley RJ, Baskin DG. Central nervous system control of food intake. Nature , 2000, 404(6778): 661-671.
[22] M, Scott MM, Sakata I, Lee CE, Chuang JC, Osborne-Lawrence S, Rovinsky SA, Elmquist JK, Zigman JM. Functional implications of limited leptin receptor and ghrelin receptor coexpression in the brain. J Comp Neurol , 2012, 520(2): 281-294.
[23] M, Shutter JR, Sarmiento U, Sarosi I, Stark KL. Overexpression of Agrt leads to obesity in transgenic mice. Nat Genet , 1997, 17(3): 273-274.
[24] A, Sumida Y, Gabazza EC, Murashima S, Tanaka T, Furuta M, Araki-Sasaki R, Hori Y, Nakatani K, Yano Y, Adachi Y. Plasma levels of agouti-related protein are increased in obese men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab , 2001, 86(5): 1921-1924.
[25] JC, Jackson PJ, Thompson DA, Chai B, Gantz I, Barsh GS, Dawson PE, Millhauser GL. Structures of the agouti signaling protein. J Mol Biol , 2005, 346(4): 1059-1070.
[26] PJ, McNulty JC, Yang YK, Thompson DA, Chai BX, Gantz I, Barsh GS, Millhauser GL. Design, pharmacology, and NMR structure of a minimized cystine knot with agouti-related protein activit
Outlines

/