129-Wnt11^tm1Amc/J

Stock number: 006239
Product name: Wnt11 knock-out
Research areas: Developmental Biology Research, Internal/Organ Research, Research Tools

Description

These mice harbor a "knock-out" mutation of the Wnt11 (wingless-related MMTV integration site 11) gene and may be useful in studies of kidney development (including ureteric bud branching morphogenesis) and Wnt superfamily embryogenesis.

Detailed description

Mice heterozygous for this targeted mutation are viable and fertile with normal kidney size and histology. Homozygotes exhibit some embryonic lethality and will die by 2 days post partem. While the cause of death is unclear, these neonates have kidney hypoplasia and reduction of glomeruli. RT-PCR analysis of kidney RNA shows the expected truncated transcript. Homozygotes exhibit ureteric branching morphogenesis defects between embryonic day 11.5-12.5 (T-stage) associated with a reduction in mesenchymal Gdnf expression. These Wnt11 mutant mice may be useful in studies of kidney development, including ureteric bud branching morphogenesis, and Wnt superfamily embryogenesis.

Development

A targeting vector was designed to replace exons 4 and 5 of the endogenous gene with a PGK-neo cassette. This construct was microinjected into (129X1/SvJ x 129S1/Sv)F1-derived R1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into blastocysts. Chimeric mice were bred to "129 substrain AV3" inbred mice (129X1/SvJ). Heterozygous mice were maintained and expanded on this same genetic background (129X1/SvJ) prior to arrival at The Jackson Laboratory. Upon arrival, these mice were bred to 129X1/SvJ (Stock No. 000691) inbred mice for at least one generation to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Wnt11^tm1Amc
Name: targeted mutation 1, Andrew P McMahon
MGI accession ID: MGI:2665014
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Wnt11
Marker name: wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 11
Chromosome: 7
Strain of origin: (129X1/SvJ x 129S1/Sv)F1-Kitl⁺
Molecular note: The gene was disrupted by replacement of exons 4 and 5 with a PGK-neo cassette via homologous recombination. RT-PCR analysis of RNA from homozygous mutant animals revealed a truncated transcription product predicted to encode 28 N-terminal amino acids. This mutant protein is expected to be non-functional.