B6.129X1-Camk4^tm1Tch/J

Stock number: 004994
Product name: CaMKIV/Gr KO
Research areas: Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research, Internal/Organ Research, Neurobiology Research

Description

These Camk4 knock-out mice exhibit diminished contextual and auditory fear memory.

Detailed description

Mice that are homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. No gene product (mRNA or protein) is detected by RT-PCR or Western blot analysis. Synaptic plasticity, as assayed by long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), in mutant mice is deficient. Homozygotes exhibit diminished contextual and auditory fear memory. Cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) activation by fear conditioning is absent in the amygdala and decreased in the hippocampus. Thymocyte maturation is impaired. Both CD4+ and CD8+, single positive, thymocyte levels are reduced. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies examining learning and memory or related to thymocyte development.

Development

A targeting vector containing neomycin resistance and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase genes was used to disrupt exon 3 and adjacent introns. The construct was electroporated into 129X1/SvJ-derived RW4 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts. The resulting chimeric animals were crossed to C57BL/6 mice, and then backcrossed to the same for 15 generations.

Allele

Symbol: Camk4^tm1Tch
Name: targeted mutation 1, Talal A Chatila
MGI accession ID: MGI:1888972
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Camk4
Marker name: calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV
Chromosome: 18
Strain of origin: 129X1/SvJ
Molecular note: The replacement of the third exon, which encodes the ATP binding site in the catalytic domain of the kinase, with a neomycin resistance gene rendered the enzyme catalytically inactive and prone to degradation.