B6;129-Dusp6^tm1Jmol/J

Stock number: 009069
Research areas: Apoptosis Research, Cardiovascular Research

Description

Homozygous Dusp6 (dual specificity phosphatase 6) knock-out mutant mice have enlarged hearts; cardiac hypercellularity due to greater rates of myocyte proliferation during embryonic development and in the early postnatal period. Embryonic fibroblasts derived from these mice show reduced apoptosis. This strain may be useful in studies of heart function and disease.

Detailed description

Homozygous targeted mutant mice have larger hearts than wild-type mice at every age examined. They show greater rates of myocyte proliferation during embryonic development and in the early postnatal period, resulting in cardiac hypercellularity. This lends protection against decompensation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy following long term pressure overload and myocardial infarction injury in adult mice. Embryonic fibroblasts derived from these mice also show reduced apoptosis rates as compared to wildtype. Homozygotes are viable, fertile and otherwise overtly normal. This strain may be useful in studies of heart function and disease.

Development

All three exons (exons 1-3) of the gene were replaced with a neomycin resistance gene. A 129-derived embryonic stem (ES) cell line was used to create the mutation. Chimeras were crossed with C57BL/6 and the line was maintained on a mixed C57BL/6 and 129 genetic background by the donating laboratory. At The Jackson Laboratory, the live colony was bred at least one generation to B6129SF2/J mice (Stock No. 101045).

Allele

Symbol: Dusp6^tm1Jmol
Name: targeted mutation 1, Jeffery D Molkentin
MGI accession ID: MGI:3827011
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Dusp6
Marker name: dual specificity phosphatase 6
Chromosome: 10
Strain of origin: 129
Molecular note: All 3 exons were replaced with a neo cassette via homologous recombination. Western blot analysis confirmed the absence of protein in the lung, spleen, thymus, and heart of homozygous mice.