Independent segregation of ev 2 and ev 10, genetic loci for spontaneous production of endogenous avian retroviruses

Abstract

F 1 males produced by mating two independently derived inbred lines of chickens (Regional Poultry Research Laboratory lines 7 2 and 151,) that spontaneously produce subgroup E retrovirus were mated to females from a line negative for subgroup E virus production. Approximately 80% of the progeny embryos produced a subgroup E virus. This result supports the hypothesis that two or more dominant genes at different loci can each control virus production. Analysis of the DNA of progeny embryos by digestion with restriction endonucleases Sst I and Bam HI and hybridization of the resulting fragments with 32P-labeled viral RNA showed that subgroup E virus production was associated with two and possibly three structural gene loci. The previously identified locus ev 2 from line 7 2 and a newly defined locus ev 10 from line 151 4 were clearly associated with virus production. Another new locus ev 11, found in 151 4, was tentatively identified and associated with virus production.