Genetic typing of the mouse ob mutation by PCR and restriction enzyme analysis.

A genetic typing method for the mouse obese (ob) mutation by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was developed. Three genotypes (ob/ob, ob/+ and +/+) of the ob mouse are rapidly differentiated with this assay. Since only a small biopsy specimen (tail end) is necessary for the genotyping, the ob mouse at any age is typable and can be used in subsequent breeding or research. Obese homozygotes (ob/ob) were efficiently produced by mating heterozygotes (ob/+) only, which were selected by using the PCR-RFLP assay.