Mark Dwight
New member
Can anyone explain modifier genes and give an example using mice?
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genetics question
- Thread starter Mark Dwight
- Start date
Modifier genes act WITH another gene.
In mice, the easiest colour-or-pattern one I can think of is "umbrous" - most Self Black mice and Black Tan mice carry it, but it does not show on their coats. However, if you have an Agouti mouse (the agouti ticked-hair pattern is dominant to 'self-coloured' hair and an agouti is a black mouse with ticked hairs) the Umbrous modifier causes most of the black ticking to appear 'darker' on the top side of the mouse. An Agouti mouse without 'umbrous' will usually have even ticking all over -and the 'strength' of the umbrous gene (or group of genes) can determine the level of effect.
A quick search on Google also revealed that there are a number of "mouse modifier genes" that have to do with health and susceptibility to disease.
In mice, the easiest colour-or-pattern one I can think of is "umbrous" - most Self Black mice and Black Tan mice carry it, but it does not show on their coats. However, if you have an Agouti mouse (the agouti ticked-hair pattern is dominant to 'self-coloured' hair and an agouti is a black mouse with ticked hairs) the Umbrous modifier causes most of the black ticking to appear 'darker' on the top side of the mouse. An Agouti mouse without 'umbrous' will usually have even ticking all over -and the 'strength' of the umbrous gene (or group of genes) can determine the level of effect.
A quick search on Google also revealed that there are a number of "mouse modifier genes" that have to do with health and susceptibility to disease.
Mark Dwight
New member
Thank youSsthisto said:
This is just what I've been looking for. Since you used the word "strength" to describe it I assume it is not known if umbrous is a single variable gene or a polygenic trait of multiable genes? Are there heterozygous umbrous?