Chromosomal Localization of Mouse Hair Keratin Genes

The study investigated the chromosomal localization of mouse hair keratin genes using specific probes from cloned and sequenced mouse hair keratin cDNAs. The analysis of DNA from interspecies backcrossed mice revealed that most hair keratin genes are located at the Krt-1 locus on chromosome 11 and the Krt-2 locus on chromosome 15. The linkage of hair keratin genes with certain mutations on these chromosomes suggested that these mutations might involve changes in hair keratin expression or structure. The study also indicated that the organization of keratin genes in the genome might have influenced their evolution and plays a crucial role in the tissue-specific and developmental regulation of keratin gene expression.