The hypotrichosis-generating shorn (shn) mutation maps to distal chromosome 7 in the Norway rat

We have recently identified an autosomal recessive mutation in the Norway rat that generates an almost complete absence of normal hair. Here we describe a multilocus backcross analysis that was used to map this mutation, named shorn (gene symbol shn), to the distal end of rat chromosome 7. Although this region in rat carries no previously mapped similar mutations, the homologous genomic regions in mouse and human contain several potential homologues and candidate genes.