The Retarded Hair Growth Mutation in Mice Is an Allele of Ornithine Aminotransferase

The study investigated the genetic basis of the retarded hair growth (rhg) mutation in mice and identified it as an allele of the ornithine aminotransferase (Oat) gene. Researchers found a specific G to C transversion in the Oat gene associated with the rhg allele, leading to a glycine to alanine substitution. This mutation was shown to be responsible for the retarded hair growth phenotype through genetic crosses with mice carrying a null mutation in Oat. The study also noted that mice with the rhg mutation exhibited chorioretinal degeneration, similar to that seen in OatΔ/OatΔ mice, suggesting that the rhg mutant could serve as a model for studying gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR) in humans.