Use of microsatellite DNA polymorphisms on mouse chromosome 11 for in vitro analysis of thymidine kinase gene mutations

The mouse lymphoma (L5178Y tk+/- 3.7.2C) in vitro mutagenesis assay can measure the genotoxic effects of a wide variety of chemical agents by inactivation of a single functional thymidine kinase (tk-1) gene. We have previously demonstrated, using cytogenetic and molecular techniques, that the types of molecular lesions associated with tk-1 gene inactivation span a wide range similar to that seen in tumor cells at specific oncogene and tumor suppressor gene loci. We have identified, using polymerase chain reaction techniques, 21 microsatellite, or 'simple sequence repeat', polymorphisms between chromosomes 11a and 11b in 3.7.2C cells. These microsatellite polymorphisms span virtually the entire chromosome, from mapping positions of 3-78 centiMorgans (cM) from the centromere, thus providing landmarks to study loss of genetic material across the entire chromosome. Four of the microsatellite polymorphisms lie within 12 cM of tk-1, and provide a means of mapping loss of genetic material in the immediate vicinity of tk-1, a capability that we have not previously had in the mouse lymphoma assay. Loss of alleles (i.e. loss of heterozygosity) is an important feature of tumor development, having to do with tumor suppressor gene expression. Therefore, the ability to detect loss of heterozygosity in the mouse lymphoma assay will make the assay an extremely valuable tool in the detection of agents capable of inducing loss of heterozygosity.