This recessive mutant is a hypomorph, caused by a spontaneous IAP insertion in intron 1, that provides a model for infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD). Mice homozygous for the <i>Pla2g6<sup>m1J</sup></i> mutation can often be distinguished by a slight tremor at approximately 13 weeks of age. A gradual weight loss also begins at that time and progresses until premature death. Loss of grip strength presents between 60 to 80 days of age and progresses such that by 100 days of age homozygotes can no longer hang suspended in the wire-hang test for more than a few seconds. The average age of death is approximately 120 days and few homozygotes survive beyond 6 months of age. Astrocytes taken from 6 to 8 week old homozygotes and cultured for 14 to 16 days have aberrant ATP-stimulated calcium signaling. Capacitative calcium entry in these astroctyes was found to be only 45% that of wildtype controls. Axonal spheroids are evident in the brain stem, spinal cord and peripheral axons of affected mice upon histological examination.

This spontaneous mutation provides a model for infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD). Axonal spheroids are evident in the brain stem, spinal cord and peripheral axons of affected mice upon histological examination.

Live mice are available from faculty research colonies. Not available at standard JAX Health status.