B6;129-Mavs^tm1Zjc/J

Stock number: 008634
Product name: Mavs-
Research areas: Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research, Virology Research

Description

Loss of MAVS (mitochondrial antiviral signaling) protein expression in this knock-out strain abolishes viral induction of interferons and prevents the activation of NFΚB and IRF3 in multiple cell types, except plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Mice lacking the protein fail to induce interferons in response to poly(I:C) stimulation and are severely compromised in immune defense against viral infection.

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. Loss of MAVS (mitochondrial antiviral signaling) protein expression abolishes viral induction of interferons and prevents the activation of NFΚB (Rela, v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (avian)) and IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3) in multiple cell types, except plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). The protein is not required for interferon induction by cytosolic DNA or by Listeria monocytogenes. Mice lacking the protein fail to induce interferons in response to poly(I:C) stimulation and are severely compromised in immune defense against viral infection. Experimental results provide in vivo evidence that the cytosolic viral signaling pathway through the targeted gene is specifically required for innate immune responses against viral infection.

Development

A segment of exon 2 (starting at the ATG start codon) and exon 3 were replaced with a PGK-neomycin resistance cassette flanked by loxP sites. A 129-derived embryonic stem cell line was used to create the mutation. Germline chimaera's were bred to C57BL/6. This strain was maintained on a mixed C57BL/6 and 129SvEv genetic background by the donating laboratory.

Allele

Symbol: Mavs^tm1Zjc
Name: targeted mutation 1, Zhijian J Chen
MGI accession ID: MGI:3654145
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Mavs
Marker name: mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein
Chromosome: 2
Strain of origin: Not Specified
Molecular note: Sequence beginning at the ATG in exon 2 and extending through exon 3 was replaced with a floxed neomycin resistance gene. Immunoblot failed to detect protein in mutants.