SOMATIC EXPRESSION AND AUTOSOMAL INHERITANCE OF PHOSPHOGLYCERATE KINASE B IN KANGAROOS

J. L. Vandeberg ¹, D. W. Cooper ¹, G. B. Sharman ¹, and W. E. Poole ²

¹ School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia 2113
² Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, P. O. Box 84, Lyneham, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 2602

The PGK-B isozyme, currently known as PGK-2 in the mouse nomenclature, is the predominant PGK isozyme in mammalian sperm. In many species it is detectable only in sperm, in spermatogenic testes and in epididymides containing sperm. In this paper, we provide evidence that some kangaroo species express low PGK-B activity in somatic tissues, in addition to high activity in testes. Three kangaroo species, M. rufogriseus, M. robustus and M. giganteus, exhibit polymorphism of PGK-B. Breeding data support the hypothesis of autosomal co-dominant inheritance, as is the case in mice. Population data for the three polymorphisms are discussed. PGK-B is not detectable in somatic tissues or spermatogenic testis extracts of monotreme mammals, birds or lizards; it is probably restricted to therian mammals.