There is a major locus on distal mouse Chromosome 6 (63cM +/- 1cM)
which influences responsiveness to a variety of bitter tastants.
Named Soa (Sucrose Octaacetate Aversion), the locus has a dominant
allele conferring sensitive tasting ability, a recessive allele
conferring indifference to the same tastant concentrations, and a
third allele conferring intermediate sensitivity. The taster allele
is native to the SWR/J inbred strain, the nontaster allele is found in
C57BL/6J, and the intermediate (demitaster) allele is from C3HeB/FeJ
inbred mice.
We have available for immediate transfer representatives of:
B6.SW[taster] congenic strains at N11F23+
SW.B6[nontaster] congenic strains at M10F14+ generations
C3.SW[taster] congenic strains at N16F7+
C3.SW[taster] heterozygous congenic mice (continuous backcross) at N23+
These animals are potentially useful for a wide variety of
taste-relevant research. At the same time, some of these lines have
proven to be very poor breeders, in danger of becoming extinct (B6.SW
in particular). For others we are contemplating termination in order
to devote resources to other projects.
Anyone interested in acquiring some of these unique research resources
should contact us at the below address.
A few relevant references are:
Whitney,G., & D.B. Harder (1994) Genetics of bitter perception in
mice. Physiology & Behavior,v56,1141-1147.
Boughter, J.D. Jr., & G. Whitney (1995) C3.SW-Soa{a} Heterozygous
congenic taster mice. Behavior Genetics,v25,233-237.
Harder, D.B, K.S.Gannon, & G.Whitney (1996) SW.B6-Soa{b} Nontaster
congenic strains completed and a sucrose octaacetate congenic quartet
tested with other bitters. Chemical Senses,v21,507-517.
For further information, contact David Harder [harder@psy.fsu.edu] or
Glayde Whitney [whitney@psy.fsu.edu.]
Glayde Whitney
Professor in Psychology
Psychology Department voice:904 644 9873
Florida State University Fax:904 644 7739
Tallahassee FL 32306-1051 email:whitney@Darwin.psy.fsu.edu
USA