Mice that are homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable and fertile. A truncated gene product (protein) is detected by immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue. By 6 weeks of age, male mutant mice begin to exhibit tremors, progressive motor dysfunction, oily disheveled fur, hypoactivity, myoclonic seizures, and kyphosis. Approximately 10% of male mutants die between 10 and 12 months of age. Heterozygous female mice exhibit a milder phenotype. All mutant male mice and 62% of female heterozygotes exhibit a repetitive clasping movement of their forelimbs and exhibit tremors. The Donating Investigator reports that the myoclonic seizures, kyphosis and reduced survival were observed in aged male mutants on a 129/SvEv genetic background. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of Rett Syndrome.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Institutes of Health supported the creation of this model. Importation of this model was supported by the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation.
