Mutant mice have a targeted mutation of the apolipoprotein E receptor Lrp8 (also called Apoer2). Homozygotes are viable with no gross morphological abnormalities. Homozygous males have reduced fertility, while females are not affected. Using C-terminal specific antibodies, no endogenous protein is detected in the brains of homozygotes. Homozygous mice have a smaller and less foliated cerebellum with various hippocampus defects in granule cell positioning, cortical neuron migration, granule cell laminar organization, commissural fiber distribution, CA1 microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) distribution, and long term potentiation (LTP). Mutant mice show contextual fear conditioning deficits. These mice may be useful in studies of brain development, neuronal cytoarchitecture, Reelin signaling pathways, NMDA receptor activity, lipoprotein receptors, synaptic plasticity and learning, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
