Genetic Variation in Amount of Salivary Amylase in the Bank Vole, CLETHRIONOMYS GLAREOLA

AUTOR(ES)

Hjorth, J. Peter

RESUMO

Several investigated bank vole populations are polymorphic for the number of salivary amylase loci, and individual chromosomes may carry one, two or three linked amylase structural genes. In the present study, we have used bank vole stocks homozygous for different chromosomes to investigate the relationship between amylase production and gene number. By measuring the amylase activity in parotid glands and the percentage of amylase protein in saliva, we have been able to demonstrate that the amount of salivary amylase is directly proportional to the proposed gene number. The paper also describes the allele, AmySu, which codes for a heat-labile salivary amylase. The relative amounts of the heat-labile isozyme have been determined in different heterozygotes containing this allele, and these results also support the multiple locus model. Finally, a stock devoid of salivary amylase activity was established. Animals from this strain have, however, a protein in the parotid glands and in saliva that is very similar to amylase in molecular weight, amino acid composition and in its binding to glycogen and cyclohepta-amylose. In genetic crosses, the protein segregates as an amylase allele. Therefore, this protein, encoded by the functionally null allele AmyN, may represent an incorrectly processed amylase precursor.

Documentos Relacionados

• Variation in the Number of Genes Coding for Salivary Amylase in the Bank Vole, CLETHRIONOMYS GLAREOLA
• Susceptibility of the Sage Brush Vole, Lagurus curtatus, to Listeria monocytogenes
• The ultrastructure of the anterior pituitary gland of the vole, Microtus agrestis, in normal and experimentally manipulated animals.
• Experimental infection with Puumala virus, the etiologic agent of nephropathia epidemica, in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus).
• Optimal allocation of reproductive effort: manipulation of offspring number and size in the bank vole.