Mapping of Four Simple Sequence Repeat Markers on Rat Chromosome 4 ( SSR )

We previously reported that several markers on rat chromosome (Chr) 4 cosegregated with the occurrence of cerebral stroke and brain edema in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). To obtain insights into the positional candidate genes for stroke susceptibility in this region, we mapped four genes, Taurine transporter (Tau), tumor necrosis factor receptor (Tnfr), GABA transporter (Gati) and glucose transporter-3 (GIut3) genes, using newly developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers on rat Chr 4. We isolated the SSRs for the genes either by screening a rat genomic library or by searching the GenBank database. By linkage analysis using two sets of backcrosses, Gati and Tnfr were mapped in the region associated with stroke, while Taut was located distant from the region. The GIut3 locus was also assigned to rat Chr 4 using a rat x mouse hybrid clone panel. These results indicated that the Tnfr, Gati and GIut3