Phenobarbital induction of aldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA in mouse liver: A candidate region on chromosome 7 for a putative regulatory gene

Phenobarbital (PB) strongly induces in the liver the expression of many gen es encoding detoxication enzymes, such as the aldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 in the mouse (Aldh2). With the aim of identifying genes involved in this r esponse, we have undertaken an approach based on a genetic analysis in mice . In a previous report, the genetic analysis of both the C57BL/6J (B6) X DB A/2J (D2) F-1 and the (F-1 X F-1) F-2 led us to the hypothesis that Aldh2 r esponsiveness to PB was under the control of one major locus independent of the structural gene. In the present study, the genetic analysis of the ind ucibility by PB of Aldh2 in the backcross population B6D2F1 X D2 has allowe d us to confirm the involvement of a major regulatory gene in this mechanis m. By searching for genetic linkage between this locus and a series of micr osatellites DNA markers, we obtained indicative evidence for a region on ch romosome 7, which may carry this gene.