MAPPING THE MOUSE GENOME - CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE-PROSPECTS

The mouse is the best model system for the study of mammalian genetics and physiology, Because of the feasibility and importance of studying genetic crosses, the mouse genetic map has received tremendous attent ion in recent years, It currently contains over 14,000 genetically map ped markers, including 700 mutant loci, 3500 genes, and 6500 simple se quence length polymorphisms (SSLPs). The mutant loci and genes allow i nsights and correlations concerning physiology and development. The SS LPs provide highly polymorphic anchor points that allow inheritance to be traced in any cross and provide a scaffold for assembling physical maps, Adequate physical mapping resources-notably large-insert yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries-are available to support positio nal cloning projects based on the genetic map, but a comprehensive phy sical map is still a few years away. Large-scale sequencing efforts ha ve not yet begun in mouse, but comparative sequence analysis between m ouse and human is Likely to provide tremendous information about gene structure and regulation.