Non-random X-Inactivation in the Female Mule (original) (raw)

Nature volume 222, pages 1277–1278 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

THE mule (2_n_=63) is a hybrid between a jack donkey (Equus asinus, 2_n_=62) and a mare (E. caballus, 2_n_=64). The two chromosome complements are quite distinct, and in particular the X chromosomes differ morphologically; the donkey X (X D) is submetacentric and the horse X (X H) is metacentric (Fig. 1). It has also been shown that the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) locus is _X_-linked in both1,2. The electrophoretic phenotype consists of a fast and slow band in both species, the G6PD of the donkey moving faster than the G6PD of the horse (Fig. 2). If one of the X chromosomes in the female mule is inactivated at random and if this inactivation can be recognized by a delay in its DNA synthesis3–5, then about 50 per cent of cells should show a late replicating X H and 50 per cent a late replicating X D. Furthermore, the G6PD pattern in the mule should consist of three bands, a fast G6PD-donkey, a mixed intermediate band corresponding to the slow G6PD-donkey plus the fast G6PD-horse and finally a slow G6PD-horse (Fig. 2).

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Author notes

  1. J. HALLETT
    Present address: , 1 Thabana Gardens, 53 Old Pretoria Road, Craighall, Johannesburg

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Research Unit, Guy's Hospital Medical School, London, SE1
    J. L. HAMERTON, F. GIANNELLI, F. COLLINS, J. HALLETT, A. FRYER & V. M. MCGUIRE
  2. Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge,
    R. V. SHORT

Authors

  1. J. L. HAMERTON
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  2. F. GIANNELLI
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  3. F. COLLINS
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  4. J. HALLETT
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  5. A. FRYER
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  6. V. M. MCGUIRE
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  7. R. V. SHORT
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HAMERTON, J., GIANNELLI, F., COLLINS, F. et al. Non-random _X_-Inactivation in the Female Mule.Nature 222, 1277–1278 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/2221277a0

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