Rocker (rkr) mutant mice possess an ENU-induced point mutation in the Cacna1a (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit) gene. Homozygous mice exhibit mild ataxia, absence seizures, and abnormal dendritic branching in Purkinje cells. They may be useful for studies of voltage-dependent calcium channels and as an additional phenotype for the Cacna1a allelic series.
Hyder Jinnah, Emory University
Genetic Background | Generation |
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Allele Type | Gene Symbol | Gene Name |
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Chemically induced (ENU) | Cacna1a | calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit |
Cacna1a (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit) is expressed in neuronal tissue and encodes the pore-forming alpha1a subunit, which directs activity of the CaV2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel. Mutations in CACNA1A are associated with ataxia and migraines. Mice homozygous for the rocker (rkr) ENU-induced allele exhibit splayed hindlimbs, a mildly ataxic gait, absence seizures, abnormal ocular motor behavior and impaired synaptic transmission in parallel fiber Purkinje cells (PF-PC). Dendrites from Purkinje cells have less arborization, reduced length, and a "weeping willow" appearance. The rocker phenotype is less severe than in other Cacna1a mutants (tottering, leaner). Heterozygotes are viable and fertile. These mutant mice may be useful for studies of voltage-dependent calcium channels and as an additional phenotype for the Cacna1a allelic series.
Male mice from a mixed background were treated with multidose N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU); in the fourth generation of breeding, ataxic mice were observed. To analyze the mutation these mice were crossed to C57BL/6 mice for five generations. The rocker (rkr) mutation is a C to A transversion at position 3929 of the Cacna1a (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit) gene. The mutation alters the corresponding amino acid from threonine to lysine at amino acid 1310 (T1310K) in an extracellular loop located between transmembrane regions 5 and 6 of the third homologous domain. Upon arrival, mice were bred to C57BL/6J for at least 1 generation to establish the colony.
Allele Name | rocker |
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Allele Type | Chemically induced (ENU) |
Allele Synonym(s) | rkr |
Gene Symbol and Name | Cacna1a, calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit |
Gene Synonym(s) | |
Strain of Origin | mixed |
Chromosome | 8 |
Molecular Note | A C to A transversion mutation at position 4073 (c.C>A4073) predicts a nonconservative threonine to lysine substitution at position 1358 (p.T1358K) in the extracellular pore-forming loop region that connects segments 5 and 6 of repeat III of the encoded protein. |
The donating investigator maintained this strain as a female heterozygote x male homozygote mating.
When using the rocker mouse strain in a publication, please cite the originating article(s) and include MMRRC stock #36812 in your Materials and Methods section.
Facility Barrier Level Descriptions
The Jackson Laboratory has rigorous genetic quality control and mutant gene genotyping programs to ensure the genetic background of JAX® Mice strains as well as the genotypes of strains with identified molecular mutations. JAX® Mice strains are only made available to researchers after meeting our standards. However, the phenotype of each strain may not be fully characterized and/or captured in the strain data sheets. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a strain's phenotype will meet all expectations. To ensure that JAX® Mice will meet the needs of individual research projects or when requesting a strain that is new to your research, we suggest ordering and performing tests on a small number of mice to determine suitability for your particular project. We do not guarantee breeding performance and therefore suggest that investigators order more than one breeding pair to avoid delays in their research.
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