Restriction fragment analysis of VpreB and λ5 within the genus Mus

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Abstract
DNA from a panel of inbred strains of mice and colony bred mice, isolated from different geographical locations, was hybridized to mouse VpreB and λ5 probes under stringent conditions, indicating sequence similarities greater than 80%. The probe for λ5 detects one gene and the probe for VpreB detects two genes (VpreB1 and VpreB2) in the inbred strains of mice examined under the stringency used. No restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were detected with the VpreB and λ5 DNA probes among the inbred strains of mice using Bam HI and Hind III. Very few RFLP were detected among Mus musculus subspecies, and the intensity of the hybridization did not differ significantly with either DNA probe. The number of RFLP increased slightly when different species and subgenera were examined, and the intensity of the hybridization signal began to decrease in samples from the different subgenera, suggesting a slight decrease in sequence similarity for both VpreB genes with increased time of divergence. Fewer RFLP were detected with the λ5 DNA probe. DNA from 11 different Mus species representing 4 subgenera, genetically isolated from laboratory mice for approximately 1–12 million years, continued to hybridize under high stringency conditions using both DNA probes. A comigrating λ5 and VpreB restriction endonuclease fragment was detected in most of the samples examined, suggesting the close physical linkage of VpreB1 and λ5 is maintained within the genus Mus. These results suggest that VpreB1, VpreB2 and λ5 have been present for over 12 million years.