The search for a human equivalent of the mouse T-locus - negative results from a study of HL-A types in spina bifida.

The spina bifida/anencephaly complex in man in some ways resembles the effects of T-locus mutants in the mouse. To test the hypothesis that these entities are genetically related, HL-A typing was performed in families with multiple cases of central nervous system abnormality. No evidence of linkage was found between HL-A type and the congenital malformation.