A quantitative trait locus that accounts for glucose intolerance maps to chromosome 8 in hereditary obese KK-A(y) mice.

KK and KK-A(y) mice serve as animal models of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with moderate obesity. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed to identify gene loci that account for fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and plasma insulin in 91 F(2) females of a C57BL/6JxKK-A(y) intercross. For glucose intolerance, a significant QTL was identified on chromosome 8, with a maximum lod score of 5.6. This locus had strong influence on the late phase of the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), suggesting that the locus may have role in glucose clearance rather than in mere hyperglycemia. In addition, three suggestive QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1 (fasting glucose), 3 (fasting insulin) and 4, (blood glucose at 120 min during IPGTT, and glucose intolerance).