Evidence from Thiol Histochemistry for Homology Between the Tabby-Crinkled Syndrome in Mice and Human Ectodermal Dysplasia'

Mutant mice carrying the sex-linked gene Tabby (Ta), and others carrying crinkled (cr), an autosomal mimic of Ta, were studied histochemically with respect to the sulfhydryl: disulfide ratios in their skin and hair and the SH levels in their tooth germs. As compared to normal controls, the mutant animals demonstrated significantly elevated SH:S-S ratios (skin and hair) and SH levels (tooth germs) in the ectodermal components of these tissues. This finding corresponds with previously reported biochemical data on a form of human ectodermal dysplasia (ED), and therefore supports the hypothesis that these mutations in mice may be homologous to the genes for human ED.