Prt-4 and Prt-5: new constituents of a gene cluster on chromosome 7 coding for esterproteases in the submandibular gland of the house mouse (Mus musculus).

The heredity and linkage of gene loci were established for two different enzymes with esterproteolytic activity from mouse submandibular gland: protease A and protease E. Based upon strain distribution and biochemical properties of the two esterproteases, the existence of two corresponding structural loci is proposed: Prt-4 (protease A) and Prt-5 (protease E). Prt-4 and Prt-5 proved to be different from Tam-1. From a four-point-cross, the gene order Gpi-1-(Tam-1, Prt-4, Prt-5)-c is suggested. Thus a gene cluster was shown to exist on chromosome 7 coding for esterproteases, all of which are controlled by testosterone.