DNA FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS OF DAHL-IWAI SALT-SENSITIVE RATS (S) AND SALT-RESISTANT RATS (R)

Using DNA fingerprint analyses, extensive molecular heterogeneity has been found spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), suggesting a doubtful value of simply comparing these rats in the study of the pathogenesis of genetic hypertension. Therefore, we e valuated the genetic similarity between Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-r esistant rats newly inbred by Dr. Iwai (Dahl-Iwai S and R rats), by us e of DNA fingerprint analysis. Fingerprint patterns were generated by probing HinfI- or Alu I-digested DNA with an oligonucleotide correspon ded to the tandem repeat sequence of the human myoglobin 33.6 minisate llite. These fingerprint patterns were same within each strain. S and R rats shared 82 percent of the bands in Hinf I-digested DNA and 93 pe rcent of those in Alu I-digested DNA. Although Dahl-Iswai S and R rats are more closely related than SHR and WKY rats, multiple genetic diff erences still exist between these Dahl strains.