STOCK Rarb^tm1Vgi/HsvJ

Stock number: 022999
Product name: RARbeta-
Research areas: Developmental Biology Research, Endocrine Deficiency Research, Internal/Organ Research, Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

This Rarb knockout strain is useful in studies of synaptic plasticity and the role of retinoic acid receptors during development.

Detailed description

Rarb (retinoic acid receptor, beta) gene encodes for a nuclear ligand-dependent transcription factor and is expressed in the developing and adult mouse, particularly in the developing lung and central nervous system. These mice carry a targeted mutation for the Rarb gene in which a NEO cassette replaces exon 6 (encoding the first zinc finger). Mice that are heterozygous for the targeted mutation and on a mixed STOCK background are viable and fertile; it is not known if homozygotes on the STOCK background are viable. On the B6;129 background homozygotes are viable and fertile. No gene product (mRNA) is detected by Northern blot analysis. Homozygotes on the B6;129 background exhibit impaired spatial learning and memory with an absence of hippocampal CA1 region long-term potentiation and long-term depression. When compared to wildtype mice, homozygotes have reduced respiratory function and delayed mammary gland duct development.

Development

A targeting vector containing a NEO cassette was used to disrupt exon 6, which encodes the first zinc finger. The construct was electroporated into 129-derived R1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts. The resulting chimeric animals were tested for germline transmission. The mice were then crossed to several other mutant lines with genetic backgrounds including, but not limited to: C57BL/6, ICR (CD-1), and 129Sv. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, the mice were crossed to C57BL/6J (Stock No. 000664) at least once to establish this colony of mice carrying only the Rarb^tm1Vgi allele.

Allele

Symbol: Rarb^tm1Vgi
Name: targeted mutation 1, Vincent Giguere
MGI accession ID: MGI:2158691
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Rarb
Marker name: retinoic acid receptor, beta
Chromosome: 14
Strain of origin: (129X1/SvJ x 129S1/Sv)F1-Kitl⁺
Molecular note: A genomic fragment containing sequences encoding the first zinc finger motif was replaced with a neomycin selection cassette. This region encodes an essential portion of the protein common to all encoded isoforms. Northern blot analysis on RNA derived from E13.5 homozygous embryos demonstrated that no detectable transcript is produced from this allele.