Simple vs. complex inheritance of inducible aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in mouse tissues.

The genetics of induction of hepatic and lung aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) have been studied in Af/Ki and AKR/Ki mice and in their F1 and F2 progeny after administration of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC). Furthermore, the induction of AHH was investigated using the fetal liver explant model system with 3MC, trans-1,2-dihydroxy-3MC, and 4'-bromoflavone as the inducers. The results obtained with the above strains were contrasted with those from the C57BL/6Ki, DBA/2+Ki, and their crosses. The present investigation revealed a complex pattern of inheritance of basal and inducible AHH in lung and liver of AKR/Ki and Af/Ki, with a poor correlation between lung and liver. Hepatic AHH was not fully inducible in the F1 hybrids, while the frequency distribution function in the F2 mice was suggestive of more than two distinct classes.