Polymorphisms of mitochondrial DNAs in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus): cleavage site variations and length polymorphism of restriction fragments.

Extensive polymorphism was found in mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). The restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of mtDNAs of laboratory rats, wild rats, tumor cells, and culture cells were compared. The polymorphism is defined by two criteria; one is cleavage site variation and the other is length polymorphism of restriction fragments. The cleavage site variation may be caused by point mutation, and the length polymorphism by sequence deletions or insertions. At least five types, types A-E, were identified by cleavage site variations, and two groups, a and b, were identified by length polymorphism of one HpaII fragment, Hpa5. All types except type C belonged to either group-a or group-b, whereas both groups were found in type C. Differentiation of polymorphic Norway rat mtDNA types and the experimental use of the polymorphism are discussed.