Abstract
Summary
SMT-Antigen, a mouse serum trace protein, occurring in virgin female animals which are susceptible to mammary cancer, was found to be transmitted by a dominant autosomal gene. A symbol, Smt, is proposed for this gene. The expression of the gene is limited to females. Its penetrance is not complete and is estimated to be approximately 86%. It was necessary to assume the presence of a pair of modifier genes, preventing the expression of the effect of the major SMT-antigen genes when present in a recessive homozygous condition. These modifier genes are assumed to have no effect by themselves upon the presence or absence of the SMT-antigen. This serum trace component, or the pituitary hormone involved in its formation, is likely to represent the genetic factor involved in the formation of spontaneous mammary tumors in mice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.