Detecting fa leptin receptor mutation in Zucker rats with tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR

Abstract

Due to the genetic mutation (fa) in the gene encoding for leptin receptor, homozygous Zucker rats (fa−/−) develop excessive adiposity and become an experimental animal model in obesity and metabolic-related diseases research. Based on tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), we developed a method to quickly genotype Zucker rats with a mutated fa allele from their wildtype littermates. The three genotypes are clearly discriminated on 2.0% agarose gel. Our method can be used as a reliable tool to set up and maintain the breeding colony in animal facilities as well as assign animals to control and treatment groups based on their genotypes for animal studies.

Keywords

• fa mutation
• Leptin receptor
• Tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS)
• Zucker rats
• Obesity