Protein polymorphisms in strains of golden hamsters

Abstract

At present only a few data is available about biochemical polymorphisms in the golden hamster. But the great number of strains of this species used in biomedical research requires the establishment of specific marker traits which can be used for
genetic control purposes.
This study gives an overview on the degree of variability on the protein level among a series of 17 strains of hamsters.
The results show 9 of about 40 stained isoproteins to express electrophoretic variants (22.5 %). Unexpectedly most of the phenotypes occur not only between but also within the strains despite more than 25 generations of inbreeding.
The reason for this level of heterogeneity is not yet really obvious. Several possible points of influence are discussed, 0.3. an increased mutation rate or physiological specificities. At present, nongenetic reasons seem to be the most likely explanation
for most of the polymorphisms.