GFAP-DNSynCAM1 transgenic mice express a dominant-negative form of the CADM1 protein that lacks the intracellular domain in an astrocyte-specific fashion, under the control of the human GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein, promoter. The transgene is expressed in the brain, and the expression pattern of the transgene mimics the endogenous gene expression pattern, as determined by immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of EGFP. Transgenic mice on the FVB background display hyperactivity increased spontaneous locomoter activity in the open field, reduced anxiety in the zero maze, altered response to d,l-amphetamine and increased aggression. Behavioral tests reveal that transgenic mice, on the mixed B6;FVB background, have a disrupted diurnal pattern with increased total activity and reduced resting times during the light phase. Mice hemizygous for the transgenic insert are viable and fertile, although female transgenic mice have delayed puberty onset (by approximately 6 days), disrupted estrous cycles, and reduced fecundity (transgenic litter size approximately 65% of wildtype control litter size). The Donating Investigator reports that the strain cannot be maintained as homozygotes. There is no difference between the phenotype exhibited by homozygotes compared to hemizygotes.
In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. This is the case for the strain above. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.
