B6;129S-Nfatc4^tm1Grc/J

Stock number: 027581
Product name: NFATc4^-
Research areas: Developmental Biology Research

Description

NFATc4^-/- KO mice lack the translation initiation site, the regulatory domain that controls calmodulin-dependent cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation, and part of the DNA-binding domain. These mice may be useful for studying the role of NFAT transcription complexes on axonal and vascular outgrowth.

Detailed description

NFATc4^-/- KO mice have a neo cassette replacing exons 1-2 and part of exon 3 encoding the nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin dependent 4 (Nfatc4) gene with a neomycin resistance (neo) cassette. NFATc4 is a cytoplasmic subunit of an NFAT transcription complex which requires Ca2+/calcineurin signaling for nuclear import. The targeted region of the gene encodes amino acids 1-413 and contains the translation start site, a regulatory domain that controls calmodulin-dependent cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation, and part of the DNA-binding domain. Deletion of these regions abolishes gene expression. Homozygous mice are viable and fertile. When combined with deletions of other NFATc subunits, mice exhibit vascular and nervous system developmental defects resulting in embryonic lethality. NFATc subunits may have overlapping functions.

Development

A targeting vector was designed to replace exons 1-2 and part of exon 3 encoding the nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin dependent 4 (Nfatc4) gene with a neomycin resistance (neo) cassette. The construct was electroporated into 129S/SvEv-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into blastocysts and the resulting chimeric mice were bred to C57BL/6 mice. These NFATc4^-/- mice were maintained on a mixed genetic background. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, mice were bred to C57BL/6J (Stock No. 000664) for at least one generation to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Nfatc4^tm1Grc
Name: targeted mutation 1, Gerald R Crabtree
MGI accession ID: MGI:2183093
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Nfatc4
Marker name: nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin dependent 4
Chromosome: 14
Strain of origin: 129S/SvEv
Molecular note: Exons 1-2 and part of exon 3 were replaced with neomycin resistance gene via homologous recombination. This region of the gene encodes amino acids 1-413 and contains the translation start site, a regulatory domain that controls calmodulin-dependent cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation, and part of the DNA-binding domain. Western blot and RNase protection assay of homozygous mutant embryos verified the absence of gene expression.