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Uroporphyrinogen-III synthase: molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, expression of a mouse full-length cDNA, and its localization on mouse chromosome 7.

Uroporphyrinogen-III synthase (URO-S; EC 4.2.1.75), the fourth enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, is responsible for the conversion of hydroxymethylbilane to the cyclic tetrapyrrole, uroporphyrinogen III. The deficient activity of URO-S is the enzymatic defect in congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), an autosomal recessive disorder. For the generation of a mouse model of CEP, the human URO-S cDNA was used to screen 2 x 10(6) recombinants from a mouse adult liver cDNA library. Ten positive clones were isolated, and dideoxy sequencing of the entire 1.6-kb insert of clone pmUROS-1 revealed 5' and 3' untranslated sequences of 144 and 623 bp, respectively, and an open reading frame of 798 bp encoding a 265-amino-acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 28,501 Da. The mouse and human coding sequences had 80.5 and 77.8% nucleotide and amino acid identity, respectively. The authenticity of the mouse cDNA was established by expression of the active monomeric enzyme in Escherichia coli. In addition, the analysis of two multilocus genetic crosses localized the mouse gene on chromosome 7, consistent with the mapping of the human gene to a position of conserved synteny on chromosome 10. The isolation, expression, and chromosomal mapping of this full-length cDNA should facilitate studies of the structure and organization of the mouse genomic sequence and the development of a mouse model of CEP for characterization of the disease pathogenesis and evaluation of gene therapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of computer mouse gain and visual demand on mouse clicking performance and muscle activation in a young and elderly group of experienced computer users.

The present study evaluated the specific effects of motor demand and visual demands on the ability to control motor output in terms of performance and muscle activation. Young and elderly subjects performed multidirectional pointing tasks with the computer mouse. Three levels of mouse gain and three levels of target size were used. All subjects demonstrated a reduced working speed and hit rate at the highest mouse gain (1:8) when the target size was small. The young group had an optimum at mouse gain 1:4. The elderly group was most sensitive to the combination of high mouse gain and small targets and thus, this age group should avoid this combination. Decreasing target sizes (i.e. increasing visual demand) reduced performance in both groups despite that motor demand was maintained constant. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid small screen objects and letters. Forearm muscle activity was only to a minor degree influenced by mouse gain (and target sizes) indicating that stability of the forearm/hand is of significance during computer mouse control. The study has implications for ergonomists, pointing device manufacturers and software developers.

Adult↗

A mouse model system for genetic analysis of sociability: C57BL/6J versus BALB/cJ inbred mouse strains.

BACKGROUND: Impairments in social behaviors are highly disabling symptoms of autism, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. Mouse model systems are useful for identifying the many genes and environmental factors likely to affect complex behaviors, such as sociability (the tendency to seek social interaction). To progress toward developing such a model system, we tested the hypothesis that C57BL/6J inbred mice show higher levels of sociability than BALB/cJ inbred mice. METHODS: Mice tested for sociability were 4- and 9-week-old, male and female C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice. On 2 consecutive days, the sociability of each test mouse toward an unfamiliar 4-week-old DBA/2J stimulus mouse was assessed with a social choice paradigm conducted in a three-chambered apparatus. Measures of sociability included the time that the test mouse spent near versus far from the stimulus mouse, the time spent directly sniffing the stimulus mouse, and the time spent in contact between test and stimulus mice in a free interaction. RESULTS: C57BL/6J mice showed higher levels of sociability than BALB/cJ mice overall in each of these measures. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice will be a useful mouse model system for future genetic and neurobiological studies of sociability.

Aggression↗

Characterization of transcripts generated from mouse hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2) and HAI-2-related small peptide (H2RSP) genes: chimeric mRNA transcribed from both HAI-2 and H2RSP genes is detected in human but not in mouse.

We previously reported a novel small gene, designated hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2) related small peptide (H2RSP), in the process of the search for splicing variant forms of HAI-2 by 3(')-rapid amplification of cDNA ends method [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 288 (2001) 390]. Human H2RSP gene consisted of four exons spanning approximately 1kbp and was located in 11kbp downstream of HAI-2 gene. In this study, we cloned and characterized the mouse counterpart of H2RSP gene, which was located in 6.6kbp downstream of mouse HAI-2 gene, and analyzed the transcripts generated from both genes. Similar to human, mouse H2RSP mRNA (0.5kb) was detected abundantly in various tissues including the gastrointestinal tract, and has nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the lysine-rich region (exon 4), which was well-conserved between human and mouse genes. However, chimeric mRNA transcribed from both HAI-2 (exons 1-7) and H2RSP (exons 2-4) genes, which was found in the kidney, prostate, and placenta of human by Northern blot analysis, was not detected in mouse tissue even by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Instead of the chimeric mRNA, a novel splicing variant lacking putative transmembrane domain of HAI-2 was found in mouse but not in human as a putative secrete form of HAI-2. These results suggest that the organization of H2RSP and HAI-2 gene complex is well-conserved, but the usage of these genes was quite different between human and mouse.

Alternative Splicing↗

Pharmacological comparison of P2X receptors on rat coeliac, mouse coeliac and mouse pelvic ganglion neurons.

Characteristics of P2X receptors on neurons of the rat coeliac, mouse coeliac and mouse pelvic ganglia have been studied using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique. Fast application of ATP (100 microM) on to isolated neurons voltage clamped at -70 mV induced a slowly desensitising inward current in 96% of the cells tested. Concentration-response curves for ATP yielded EC50 values of 86 microM, 64 microM and 123 microM, for rat coeliac, mouse coeliac and mouse pelvic ganglion neurons, respectively, while alpha,beta-methylene ATP was inactive. The response to ATP was antagonised by suramin, Cibacron blue and pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS). The potency of ATP was increased by extracellular acidification and by co-application of micromolar concentrations of Zn2+, while raising pH decreased it. On rat coeliac ganglion neurons, the EC50 values for ATP were 35 microM and 253 microM at pH 6.8 and 8.0, respectively. On mouse coeliac and pelvic ganglion neurons, altering the pH produced comparable changes. In conclusion, our results indicate that, in contrast to the guinea-pig coeliac ganglion, the characteristics of the P2X receptors present on rat coeliac, mouse coeliac and mouse pelvic ganglia are all identical to those present on rat pelvic ganglion, i.e. they are homomeric P2X2 receptors, or heteromultimers with P2X2 being the dominant subunit.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Promoter analysis of mouse estrogen-responsive finger protein (efp) gene: mouse efp promoter contains an E-box that is also conserved in human.

The estrogen-responsive finger protein (efp) containing a RING finger motif has been identified as an estrogen-responsive gene in human and mouse. Here, we have characterized the basal promoter region of the mouse efp gene. The promoter lacks the TATA motif, and transcription initiation sites are found at positions -38T, -64A and -73C from the translation initiation site. Deletion analysis of the 5'-flanking region using Jyg-Mc(B) mouse breast cancer cells indicates that the sequence encompassing from -139 to -1 has a basal transcription activity. This region is GC-rich in both mouse and human promoters, and the E-box is precisely matched on the sequence alignment. A mutation experiment with E-box shows that the E-box is functionally active. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay using Jyg-Mc(B) nuclear extracts shows that a transcription factor, USF-1 binds to the E-box in the mouse efp promoter. It has been shown that the E-box in the human efp promoter is indispensable for basal transcriptional activity and binds USF-1. These findings suggest that the mouse efp promoter is regulated by a similar mechanism to that of the human. In mouse, however, we have not found a negative regulatory region that is present in human promoter.

Animals↗

Estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the inner ear of the 'Turner mouse' and an estrogen receptor beta knockout mouse.

Estrogen receptors have earlier been shown in the normal mouse, rat and human inner ear. If estrogens are important in normal hearing and development of presbyacusis in the normal population is not known. However it is known that patients with Turner syndrome, where a lack of estrogens is one of the main characteristics, commonly develop an early presbyacusis. A 'Turner mouse' has been developed, as a model for the ear problems in Turner syndrome, and it shows otitis media and a premature aging of the hearing. Estrogen receptors exist in an alpha and a beta form. In this study inner ear tissue, from the Turner mouse and an estrogen receptor beta knockout mouse (betaERKO), was investigated regarding estrogen receptor alpha and beta using immunohistochemistry. Results show that the Turner mouse has the same pattern of inner ear labeling, both concerning the estrogen receptor alpha and beta, as that of a normal CBA/Ca mouse, with positive staining in the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion. The betaERKO mice show close to normal inner ear morphology and positive estrogen receptor alpha immunostaining at the same locations as the CBA/Ca mouse.

Animals↗

Difference in substrate specificity between human and mouse lysosomal acid lipase: low affinity for cholesteryl ester in mouse lysosomal acid lipase.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is essential for the intracellular degradation of cholesteryl esters (CE) and triacylglycerols (TG) that are delivered to lysosomes by low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mediated endocytosis. We have analysed the difference in the catalytic properties and substrate specificity of human and mouse LALs. LAL activities were measured in human and mouse fibroblasts and in HeLa cells transiently expressing wild-type or site-directed mutant LALs of the two species using the T7 vaccinia system. Cholesteryl esterase and triacylglycerol lipase activities were determined in cellular homogenates with a phospholipid/detergent vesicle assay, an assay frequently used to diagnose human LAL deficiency syndromes, and with LDL particles, a more physiological substrate. Characterisation of human and mouse LAL using these two assays demonstrated marked differences in their TG and CE hydrolysing activities. Compared to human LAL mouse LAL showed a much lower cholesteryl esterase activity in both assays used. The difference was more pronounced in the vesicle assay. The lower cholesteryl esterase activity of mouse LAL did not affect the LDL-CE degradation in intact fibroblasts. The analysis of site-directed mutants suggests a role of the non-conserved cysteine residue at position 240 in cholesteryl esterase activity in human LAL. Our results show a significant difference between human and mouse LAL in their specificity toward cholesteryl esters. The low cholesteryl esterase activity does not result in reduced LDL-cholesterol ester degradation in mouse fibroblasts in situ. In addition, this work emphasises the importance of the physical state of substrates in studies of the specificity and properties of lipolytic enzymes.

Animals↗

Hemoglobin synthesis in somatic cell hybrids: coexpression of mouse with human or chinese hamster globin genes in interspecific somatic cell hybrids of mouse erythroleukemia cells.

Somatic cell hybrids were derived by fusion of mouse erythroleukemia cells with fractionated human marrow enriched in erythroblasts, or with chinese hamster fetal liver erythroid cells. Such interspecific hybrid cells, when isolated in suspension culture, had retained nearly all the mouse chromosomes and had lost most of the human or chinese hamster chromosomes. However, two such hybrids (one human, the other hamster) studied 4-6 weeks after fusion, were found to contain several non-mouse chromosomes. RNA extracted from the human marrow x erythroleukemia hybrid annealed equally to both human and mouse globin complementary DNA, indicating that coexpression of the globin genes of each species had occurred in the hybrid cells. Mouse and human mRNA were found to accumulate only after incubation of the cells in 2% dimethylsulfoxide. The chinese hamster x erythroleukemia hybrid appeared to contain a double complement of mouse chromosomes in addition to several chinese hamster chromosomes. After 7 days of incubation in 2% dimethylsulfoxide, [3H]leucine was incorporated into chinese hamster beta-globin and the mouse globin chains. Thus, globin genes from differentiated cells, when introduced into spontaneously proliferating erythroleukemia cells, may be expressed after exposure of the resulting hybrid cells to an agent capable of inducing hemoglobin synthesis in the erythroleukemia cell.

Animals↗

The mouse intracisternal A particle-promoted placental gene retrotransposition is mouse-strain-specific.

Insertion of a single long terminal repeat (LTR) of an intracisternal A particle (IAP) gene into a placenta-expressed cellular gene (mouse IAP-promoted placental gene, MIPP) has recently been found for the mouse strains Swiss and CF-1. To test whether such a retrotransposition event has also taken place in other strains of mouse, genomic DNA and total RNAs were analyzed from the outbred CF-1 strain and five inbred strains of mouse, AKR/J, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, C3H/HeJ, and BALB/c. Specific DNA fragments flanking the LTR region were isolated from MIPP cDNA and genomic clones and used as hybridization probes. Three transcripts [two minor, 4.4 kilobases (kb) and 2.2 kb; one major, 1.2 kb] were detected. The 4.4-kb and 2.2-kb species were found in all strains of mouse studied. The 1.2-kb transcript (promoted by IAP LTR) is present only in placentas of C3H/HeJ and BALB/c mice. Both of these strains contain an IAP LTR in the MIPP gene. In contrast, there is no IAP LTR in this cellular gene in strains DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, and AKR/J. Thus, the IAP MIPP retrotransposition is strain-specific. The parents of the outbred CF-1 mice used for the present studies were both heterozygous at the MIPP locus. Restriction fragment length polymorphism studies using inbred strains and recombinant inbred mice have further established the linkage between the MIPP gene (D4Jhu8) and several loci on distal mouse chromosome 4. The symbol Ipp is being used for this gene in all major mouse data bases and in the comparative section of the human genome data base.

Alleles↗

Characterization of a mouse second leukotriene B4 receptor, mBLT2: BLT2-dependent ERK activation and cell migration of primary mouse keratinocytes.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent chemoattractant and activator for granulocytes and macrophages and is considered to be an inflammatory mediator. Two G-protein-coupled receptors for LTB4, BLT1 and BLT2, have been cloned from human and shown to be high and low affinity LTB4 receptors, respectively. To reveal the biological roles of BLT2 using mouse disease models, we cloned and characterized mouse BLT2. Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing mouse BLT2 exhibited specific binding to LTB4, LTB4-induced calcium mobilization, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. We found that Compound A (4'-{[pentanoyl (phenyl) amino] methyl}-1, 1'-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid) was a BLT2-selective agonist and induced Ca(2+) mobilization and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase through BLT2, whereas it had no effect on BLT1. 12-epi LTB4 exhibited a partial agonistic activity against mBLT1 and mBLT2, whereas 6-trans-12-epi LTB4 did not. Northern blot analysis showed that mouse BLT2 is expressed highly in small intestine and skin in contrast to the ubiquitous expression of human BLT2. By in situ hybridization and the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we demonstrated that mouse BLT2 is expressed in follicular and interfollicular keratinocytes. Compound A, LTB4, and 12-epi LTB4 all induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in primary mouse keratinocytes. Furthermore, Compound A and LTB4 induced chemotaxis in primary mouse keratinocytes. These data suggest the presence of functional BLT2 in primary keratinocytes.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

5-Methylchrysene metabolism in mouse epidermis in vivo, diol epoxide--DNA adduct persistence, and diol epoxide reactivity with DNA as potential factors influencing the predominance of 5-methylchrysene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide--DNA adducts in mouse epidermis.

5-Methylchrysene (5-MeC) can form two bay region dihydrodiol epoxides: 1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5-methylchrysene (DE-I) which has the methyl group and the epoxide ring in the same bay region, and 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,10-tetrahydro-5-methylchrysene (DE-II). In a previous study, we observed that the ratio of DE-I:DNA adducts to DE-II:DNA adducts in mouse epidermis, 24 h after application of [3H]5-MeC metabolites was 2.7 to 1. To investigate the basis for this observation we have now studies: (i) the formation of [3H]5-MeC in mouse epidermis in vivo at various time intervals from 0.33 to 24 h; (ii) the persistence of DE-I:DNA adducts and DE-II:DNA adducts in mouse epidermis at 4-48 h after application of [3H]5-MeC; and (iii) the reactions of DE-I and DE-II with calf thymus DNA in vitro. In contrast to results obtained with mouse liver 9000 grams supernatant, the dihydrodiol precursors of DE-I and DE-II were present in equivalent quantities in mouse epidermis in vivo at every time point studied. The ratio of DE-I:DNA adducts to DE-II:DNA adducts in mouse epidermis was constant throughout the time period studied. However, the extent of formation of DE-I:DNA adducts was greater than that of DE-II:DNA adducts upon reaction of DE-I or DE-II with calf thymus DNA in vitro. These results suggest that differences in reactivity with DNA of DE-I and DE-II may bw responsible for the higher levels in mouse epidermis of DE-I:DNA adducts compared with DE-II:DNA adducts and provide a possible basis for the observed enhancing effect of a bay region methyl group on the carcinogenicity of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

Animals↗

Introduction of mouse C epsilon genes into Cos-7 cells and fertilized mouse eggs.

A fragment of the cloned gene for the mouse C epsilon chain, coding for the first, second, third, and fourth domains, has been coupled to the SV40 promotor region (pSV2-mC epsilon). About 50 copies of pSV2-mC epsilon or its PvuII-EcoRI fragments were introduced into Cos-7 cells. Expression of PvuII-EcoRI fragments of pSV2-mC epsilon was observed in about 50% of the Cos-7 cells by indirect fluorescence staining. However, no expression of circular pSV2-mC epsilon was observed. About 200 copies of linearized pSV2-mC epsilon with EcoRI were introduced into fertilized mouse eggs. Two of 78 mice born from these eggs had integrated mouse C epsilon genes. Mouse C epsilon gene was shown to be integrated in a tandem array and as intact structures without undergoing gross deletions or rearrangements, judged from the Southern blotting patterns from several restriction enzymes. The first transgenic mouse was mated to a normal male to examine whether mouse C epsilon gene were stably transmitted to progeny. Among 5 mice to which the C epsilon gene had been transmitted, one deleted 5 copies of this gene and another deleted one junction fragment, thus demonstrating relatively unstable transmission. No C epsilon mRNA was detected in the liver, kidney, brain, lung, skeletal muscle, heart, testis, or spleen of a transgenic mouse.

Animals↗

Serological analysis of early mouse embryo with rat monoclonal antibodies produced against mouse teratocarcinoma cells.

Rat-mouse hybridoma antibodies were produced against mouse teratocarcinoma F9 or PCC4 aza1 cells, and four clones were established. Both the F11 (IgM) and F20 (IgG2c) antibodies showed a similar specificity, reacting only with nullipotential teratocarcinoma cells. They were also found to agglutinate sheep red blood cells. Solid-phase enzyme-linked immunofluorescence assay showed that, among the neutral glycolipids studied, they only reacted with the Forssman antigen. P2 antibody (IgG2b) reacted with the undifferentiated-type and embryonal endodermtype teratocarcinoma cells. During the preimplantation stage, this antibody did not stain mouse embryos, but it reacted very weakly with the inner cell mass of blastocysts cultured in vitro. In the 5th-day embryo, the embryonic ectoderm as well as the visceral and parietal endoderm were positive, but the extraembryonic ectoderm was not. Mesoderm of the 7.5th-day embryo also reacted with this antibody. However, P2 antigen was not observed in the 16th-day embryo or in adult tissues. F2 antibody (IgG2a), which was reactive with all of the cultured cell lines tested, showed an immunoreaction with mouse embryos throughout the preimplantation stage. However, in the 7.5th-day embryo, the presence of F2 was limited to the cells forming the parietal endoderm. This antigen was present in some epithelial tissues of the 16th-day embryo and adult mouse. Of these antigens, P2 and F2 are probably novel differentiation antigens of the early mouse embryo. Together with the Forssman antigen, these will be important markers for analyzing cell-surface antigens of mouse teratocarcinoma cells as well as embryos.

Animals↗

Cloning of the human and mouse type X collagen genes and mapping of the mouse type X collagen gene to chromosome 10.

Type X collagen, a homotrimer of alpha 1 (X) polypeptide chains, is specifically expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes in regions of cartilage undergoing endochondral ossification. We have previously described the isolation of a small fragment of the human type X collagen gene (COL10A1) and its localization to the q21-q22 region of human chromosome 6 [Apte, S., Mattei, M.-G. & Olsen, B. R. (1991) FEBS Lett. 282, 393-396]. Using this fragment as a probe to screen genomic libraries, we report here the isolation of human and mouse genomic clones which contain the major part of the human and mouse type X collagen genes. In both species, the 14-kb genomic clones which were isolated contain a long open reading frame (greater than 2000 bp in length) which codes for the entire C-terminal non-collagenous (NC1) domain, the entire collagenous (COL) domain and part of the N-terminal non-collagenous (NC2) domain of the alpha 1(X) collagen chain. The human genomic clone contains the major part of the COL10A1 gene, in addition to the region we have previously cloned, and is highly similar to the corresponding portions of the mouse genomic clone (84.5% similarity at the nucleotide level, and 86.1% at the level of the conceptual translation product). The identification of the mouse genomic clone as the alpha 1(X) collagen gene (Col10a1) was confirmed by in situ hybridization of a fragment of the mouse genomic clone to sections from newborn mice. Hybridization was restricted to the hypertrophic chondrocytes of developing chondroepiphyses, being absent in small chondrocytes and in other tissues. Using interspecific backcross analysis, the locus for the mouse alpha 1 (X) collagen gene was assigned to chromosome 10. The cloning and chromosomal mapping of the human and mouse alpha 1 (X) collagen genes now permit the investigation of the possible role of type X collagen gene defects in the genesis of chondrodysplasias in both species and provide data essential for the generation of transgenic mice deficient in type X collagen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mouse euchromatin specific "genome-painting" with a LINE probe: a rapid method for identification and mapping of human chromosomes in mouse-human microcell hybrids by two-color FISH.

We describe the use of a long interspersed repetitive sequence (mCPE1.51) for mouse euchromatin specific "genome-painting". In fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments, this probe was suitable for identification of the mouse genome and disclosure of translocations of mouse chromosome segments to chromosomes of different species without suppression hybridization. The euchromatin specificity of the probe allowed the discrimination between euchromatin and heterochromatin of mouse chromosomes. Simultaneous hybridization of the biotinylated mouse specific genome-painting probe and a digoxigenin-labeled human chromosome 3-specific cosmid probe to metaphase spreads of mouse-human microcell hybrid carrying a single deleted human chromosome 3 on a mouse fibrosarcoma background, allowed rapid identification and mapping of human chromosome 3.

Animals↗

Human CYP2D6 and mouse CYP2Ds: organ distribution in a humanized mouse model.

Polymorphic cytochrome P450 (P450) 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolizes several classes of therapeutic drugs, endogenous neurochemicals, and toxins. A CYP2D6-humanized transgenic mouse line was previously developed to model CYP2D6-poor and -extensive metabolizer phenotypes. Human CYP2D6 was detected in the liver, kidney, and intestine of these animals. In this study, we investigated further the cellular expression and relative tissue levels of human CYP2D6 in these transgenic mice in liver, intestine, kidney, and brain. In addition, we compared this with the expression of mouse CYP2D enzymes in these organs. In humans, these organs are of interest with respect to P450-mediated drug metabolism, toxicity, and disease. The expression of human CYP2D6 and mouse CYP2D enzymes in humanized and wild-type mice was quantified by immunoblotting and detected at the cellular level by immunocytochemistry. The cell-specific expression of human CYP2D6 in liver, kidney, and intestine in humanized mice was similar to that reported in humans. The expression patterns of mouse CYP2D proteins were similar to those in humans in liver and kidney but substantially different in intestine. Human CYP2D6 was not detected in brain of transgenic mice. Mouse CYP2D proteins were detected in brain, allowing, for the first time, a direct comparison of CYP2D expression among mouse, rat, and human brain. This transgenic mouse model is useful for investigating CYP2D6-mediated metabolism in liver, kidney, and especially the intestine, where expression patterns demonstrated substantial species differences.

Animals↗

Enu mouse mutagenesis: generation of mouse mutants with aberrant plasma IgE levels.

BACKGROUND: The ENU Mouse Mutagenesis Project aims at a large-scale, systematic production of mouse mutants using the alkylating agent ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU). Offspring of mutagenized mice are subjected to a multiparameter screen to detect alterations in various phenotypes with the ultimate goal of identifying novel genes relevant for the expression of the phenotype. Using this approach, we have analyzed plasma IgE concentrations to identify mouse mutants with aberrant plasma IgE levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: ENU-mutagenized male C3HeB/FeJ were mated to wild-type females to produce F1 offspring. F1 animals were analyzed for alterations in their plasma IgE concentrations that showed a dominant mode of inheritance, or bred further to screen for recessive phenotypes. Plasma IgE concentrations were determined by ELISA and a normal range for plasma IgE was established using C3HeB/FeJ wild-type animals. So far we have tested 6568 F1 animals. Repeated testing confirmed a stable aberrant IgE phenotype in 124 animals. To confirm the genetic basis of the observed phenotype, these mice were subjected to confirmation crossing. Currently we have established 9 independent mutant mouse lines (3 with high plasma IgE and 6 with plasma IgE below detection limit) that have been genetically confirmed and additional 24 variant mouse lines are currently undergoing confirmation testing. CONCLUSION: ENU mouse mutagenesis allowed us to generate and identify mouse mutants with aberrant plasma IgE levels, which may be used to characterize novel genes involved in IgE regulation and may serve as animal models for IgE-mediated diseases.

Alkylating Agents↗