The black and white spotting pattern observed in piebald(s) mice results from abnormal neural crest development due to a mutation in endothelin receptor B (EDNRB). The severity and distribution of the pigment patterns are vastly different in two inbred strains carrying the s mutation (Mayers/s and C3H s/s). We hypothesized that additional genes may be responsible for coordinating the differences in patterning observed. Quantitative genetic analysis of backcross progeny from these two strains identified four genetic modifiers located on Chromosomes 2, 5, 8 and 10. The modifier on Chromosome 10 increases the dorsal spotting 2-fold more than ventral spotting (19.7% vs 9.1%, p < 0.0001), suggesting this modifier has spatial or temporal affects on pigment patterning. Analysis of mapping data implicates Steel (mast cell growth factor) as a candidate gene for this locus. Sequence comparison of cDNA isolates did not indicate any differences in the coding region, however differences in the level of steady state mRNA in adult tissues was observed by Northern blot analyses. These results suggest the increased dorsal spotting observed in the Mayer strain of s mice is due to a mutation that alters the Steel expression pattern.
