Genetic characterization of the Dyscalc locus

Calcification occurs frequently in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, and studies in mice have indicated a genetic contribution, We now show that one genetic factor contributing to aortic calcification is the Dyscale locus. previously shown to contribute to myocardial calcification. Thus. the Dyscale locus, on proximal mouse Chromosome (Chr) 7, segregated with vascular calcification in a large cross between susceptible strain DBA/2J and resistant strain C57BL/6J. Further evidence was observed by analysis of recombinant inbred strains derived from various susceptible and resistant parental strains. Myocardial and vascular calcifications are importantly influenced by multiple modifier loci as well as the Dyscale gene, making fine mapping of Dyscale difficult. In order to allow more detailed genetic and biochemical characterization of Dyscale, we have identified congenic strains containing the Dyscale locus from resistant strain C57BL/10 on the background of susceptible strain C3H/DiSnA. The congenic strains exhibit little or no myocardial or vascular calcification. unlike the background HcB C3H strain, and the calcification segregated as a Mendelian factor, allowing finer mapping of Dyscale.