QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI FOR ETHANOL SENSITIVITY IN THE LS X SS RECOMBINANT INBRED STRAINS INTERVAL MAPPING

We are mapping the genes (quantitative trait loci or QTLs) that are re sponsible for individual differences in ethanol sensitivity, measured as the duration of loss of righting reflex (LORR) and blood ethanol co ncentrations upon recovery of the righting reflex (BEG). The Long-Slee p (LS) and Short-Sleep (SS) selected lines of mice manifest an 18-fold difference in LORR and serve as a rodent model for ethanol sensitivit y. The LS x SS recombinant inbred (RI) series, developed from LS and S S lines, are an important resource for QTL mapping of ethanol-related responses. The current report summarizes the initial QTL analysis of L ORR and BEC in the LS x SS strains and compares the results of correla tional analysis with an interval-mapping approach. The data provide st rong evidence for QTLs that influence ethanol sensitivity on mouse chr omosomes 1 and 2 and possible QTLs on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 , 13, 16, and 18. These results are compared to those from an F-2 cros s which confirms QTLs on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, and 18.