Mice homozygous for this BChE mutant allele are viable and fertile with no reported spontaneous abnormalities. All tissues and plasma from homozygous mice are devoid of BChE activity. As BChE (butyrylcholinesterase) is a bioscavenger molecule protecting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity against nerve agents and organophosphates, homozygous BChE-deficiency leads to impaired protection from toxic compounds. These BChE mutant mice are a model for human butyrylcholinesterase deficiency and may be useful for studying metabolic effects of organophosphorus toxicants or nerve agents, neurotransmitter function, and anti-Alzheimer's drug therapies.
Of note, the donating investigator has multiple strains available that may be useful for testing toxic compounds, including the AChE-deficient (Stock No. 005987), G117H BChE transgenic (Stock No. 007577), and BChE-deficient (see Stock No. 008077 and Stock No. 008087) mice.
