Two Genes Controlling the Expression of Extended Globoglycolipids in Mouse Kidney Are Closely Linked to Each Other on Chromosome 19

The gene (Gsl-5) controlling the expression of GL-Y (Galβ1-4(Fucα1-3)GlcNAcβ1-6(Gaβ1-3)Gb4Cer) in mouse kidney was suggested to be located near Ea-4 on mouse chromosome 19 by the results of glycolipid analysis of BXD/Ty recombinant inbred strains (Sekine et al. [1987] J. Biochem. 101, 563–568). In this study, Gsl-5 was mapped on mouse chromosome 19. Among 133 backcross progeny produced on mating between DBA/2 mice and (WHT/Ht × DBA/2)F1 mice, 10 recombinants between Lyt-1 and Gsl-5 were detected, indicating that Gsl-5 is located at 7.5±2.3 centimorgans (cM) from Lyt-1. While among 154 backcross progeny produced on mating between DBA/2 and (DBA/2 × Mus musculus castaneus)F1 mice, 39 recombinants between Got-1 and Gsl-5 were obtained, indicating that the distance between Got-1 and Gsl-5 is 25.3±3.5 cM and that Gsl-5 is telomeric to Lyt-1. In the latter mating experiment, we detected 3 recombinants between Gsl-5 and the gene (Gsl-6) controlling the expression of the Z1 ganglioside (NeuGcα2–3Galβ1–3Gh4Cer) among the 154 backcross mice. These results indicate that these two genes, Gsl-5 and Gsl-6, are closely linked to each other, being 1.9±1.1 cM apart. This is the report of evidence that two genes controlling the expression of carbohydrates in glycoconjugates are closely linked and the first to suggest that some genes controlling the expression of carbohydrates may be clustered. All the results together showed that the genes are located in the order of Lyt-1-Gsl-6-Gsl-5-Ea-4 on mouse chromosome 19.