Nackt (nkt), a new hair loss mutation of the mouse with associated CD4 deficiency

Abstract

 A spontaneous recessive mutation named nackt (symbol: nkt) affecting hair growth and T-cell development was discovered in a moderately inbred stock of mice. Skin lesions were characterized by sparse rough coat, bare patches around the eyes and neck, and a scratching behavior throughout life. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis indicated a deficiency in the CD4⁺ 8^– T-cell subset in the thymus and a marked decrease in CD4⁺ T cells in peripheral lymphoid organs. Linkage analysis using a set of molecular markers and an F₂ intersubspecific cross indicated that the mutation maps to the central region of mouse chromosome 13, in a region homologous to human chromosome 5q22-q35.