Abstract
Two polymorphic esterase systems were found after electrophoresis of rabbit tissue homogenates. Each of these systems is controlled by an autosomal locus with two alleles. Est-4 determines the absence (Est-4a) or presence (Est-4b) of two bands of esterase activity with intermediate anodal mobility and broad substrate specificity. This polymorphism was found to be present in liver, small intestine, and spleen but not in kidney, heart, and testis. Est-5 is coding for cathodally migrating esterases which differ in mobility (Est-5a and Est-5b). This polymorphism was found only in kidney and testis homogenates. Est-5 esterases are more active against α-naphthyl acetate than against β-naphthyl acetate and have no activity against α-naphthyl butyrate. Linkage analysis indicated that Est-4 is localized on rabbit LG VI as part of a cluster of esterase loci, whereas Est-5 segregates independently. Rabbits from two inbred and nine partly inbred strains were tested for these polymorphisms.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bender, K., Nagel, M., Müller, C. R., and Günther, E. (1979). Electrophoretic protein variants in inbred strains of Rattus norvegicus: Strain distribution, description of a new esterase polymorphism, and linkage studies. Transplant. Proc. 111653.
Fox, R. R. (1975). Handbook on Genetically Standardized JAX Rabbits, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine.
Fox, R. R., and Zutphen, L. F. M. van (1977). Strain differences in the prealbumin serum esterases of JAX rabbits. J. Hered. 68227.
Fox, R. R., and Zutphen, L. F. M. van (1979). Chromosomal homology of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) linkage group VI with rodent species. Genetics 93183.
Grunder, A. A., Sartore, G., and Stormont, C. (1965). Genetic variation in red cell esterases of rabbits. Genetics 521345.
Schiff, R. (1970). The biochemical genetics of rabbit erythrocyte esterases. Histochemical classification. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 18709.
Schiff, R., and Stormont, C. (1970). The biochemical genetics of rabbit erythrocyte esterases: Two new esterase loci. Biochem. Genet. 411.
Stormont, C., and Suzuki, Y. (1970). Atropinesterase and cocainesterase of rabbit serum: Localization of the enzyme activity in isozymes. Science 167200.
Tashian, R. E. (1965). Genetic variation and evolution of the carboxylic esterases and carbonic anhydrases of primate erythrocytes. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 17257.
van Zutphen, L. F. M. (1974a). Serum esterase genetics in rabbits. I. Phenotypic variation of the prealbumin esterase and classification of atropinesterase and cocainesterase. Biochem. Genet. 12309.
van Zutphen, L. F. M. (1974b). Serum esterase genetics in rabbits. II. Genetic analysis of the prealbumin esterase system, including atropinesterase and cocainesterase polymorphism. Biochem. Genet. 12327.
van Zutphen, L. F. M., and den Bieman, M. G. C. W. (1975). Serum esterase genetics in rabbits. III. A third allele on the Est-2 locus. Biochem. Genet. 1319.
van Zutphen, L. F. M., and den Bieman, M. G. C. W., and Bouw, J. (1977). Serum esterase genetics in rabbits. IV. The prealbumin and β-globulin system. Biochem. Genet. 15989.
van Zutphen, L. F. M., and den Bieman, M. G. C. W. (1978). Genetic variation in hydrolysis of clofibrate, cyclaine and piperocaine in rabbit serum. IRCS Med. Sci. 6460.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported in part by Public Health Service Research Grant RR-00251 from the Division of Research Resources and by funds from the University of Utrecht. The Jackson Laboratory is fully accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Zutphen, L.F.M., Fox, R.R. & den Bieman, M.G.C.W. Genetics of two tissue esterase polymorphisms (Est-4 and Est-5) in the rabbit. Biochem Genet 21, 773–780 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00498923
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00498923