Chromosome 8 congenic strains: tools for genetic analysis of limb malformation, plasma triglycerides, and blood pressure in the rat.

Congenic strains with the polydactyly-luxate syndrome (PLS), the BN.lx and Lew.lx, were originally derived to study the expression and mode of inheritance of the lx mutant gene on rat chromosome 8. The BN.lx PLS congenic strain together with the spontaneously hypertensive SHR strain served as progenitors for the production of the HXB/BXH recombinant inbred (RI) strains. One of the RI strains, the BXH11, carrying PLS was used for the transfer of PLS determining lx allele onto the SHR strain genetic background. Using PCR analysis, differential segments of chromosome 8 of BN.lx and SHR.lx congenic strains were described and shown to carry also genes associated with blood pressure and plasma triglyceride regulation. Possible experimental exploitation of chromosome 8 congenic strains in these respects is thus discussed.