The Abr, active BCR-related gene, encodes a small GTPase that is homologous the product of Bcr gene. The expression pattern and function of the ABR protein is similar to that of the BCR protein.
These mice carry a knock-out allele of the Abr gene in which exon 3 has been replaced by a PGK-NEO cassette. No ABR protein is detected by immunoblot analysis of cerebellar extracts from homozygous mice. Homozygotes are more sensitive to cockroach allergen-induced asthma when compared to wildtype controls. Mice that are homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable and fertile.
When crossed to Bcr knock-out mice (Stock No. 026396) the resulting double mutant mice exhibit hyperactivity, circling, impaired balance and coordination, defective cerebellar foliation, impaired spatial and object recognition memory, and are more sensitive to endotoxin and hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension than the single knock-outs.
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.
