Mice that are homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable and normal in size. When heterozygous mice are bred together, homozygous animals occur at a greatly reduced frequency (~6%). No gene product (protein) is detected in retinal tissue from homozygotes by Western blot analysis. Onset of progressive retinal degeneration occurs at 2 months of age beginning with a thinning of the outer nuclear layer of retinal cells. Rod outer segments in 2 month old mice display disorganized arrangement, irregular gaps and amorphous aggregates. At 4 months of age organization of rod outer segments improves. TUNEL assay of mutant retinal tissue show photoreceptor degeneration is due to apoptotic cell death. Ultra structural organization of rod outer segment disks is disorganized, often with patches of enlarged disks. Electroretinogram a-wave analysis of photoreceptor function reveals a diminished maximal photoreceptor response (50% lower than wildtype). This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

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These <i> Rom1</i> knock-out mice exhibit progressive retinal degeneration.

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