Genetic polymorphism and linkage of the sixth and seventh complement components (C6 and C7) in the common marmoset

Abstract

Using polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing and standard specific hemolytic detection methods, genetic polymorphisms have been found in the sixth and seventh complement components (C6 and C7) in two laboratory groups of Common marmosets. The C6 locus is highly variable and the products of six alleles were observed; three C7 alleles were found. Comprehensive breeding data indicated that both sets of alleles are inherited in an autosomal codominant manner. Many of the C6 variants differed only by a minute charge interval. The C7 variant bands differed by large charge intervals and could only be clearly seen in plasmas that had been preincubated with neuraminidase. A linkage analysis of C6 and C7 phenotypes in three, two-generation families gives reasonable evidence that the two loci are linked in marmosets as they are in humans.