Sox17 (SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 17) encodes a transcription factor involved with the regulation of embryonic development that is expressed in vascular endothelial cells.
Floxed animals in the colony maintained by the donating laboratory demonstrated no overt phenotype. Cre-mediated excision of the floxed region results in a knockout allele that expresses human placental alkaline phosphatase (AP). Germline recombination leads to mid-embryonic lethality due to defects in cardiovascular/hematopoietic development.
Homozygotes maintained in the colony at The Jackson Laboratory exhibit progressive polyuria starting around 7 weeks of age, but the mice are not diabetic (as determined by fed-glucose levels). Their insulin/pro-insulin levels are normal, and retired breeders have normal pancreas pathology (according to our board-certified veterinary pathology).
The amount of urine produced can become so severe that staff must change cages every 24 hours. Given the severity of this phenotype, we will no longer be offering homozygotes from this strain. Investigators maintaining homozygous colonies should ensure that their bedding is being changed at the proper frequency. Please note that heterozygous mice do not exhibit polyuria.
An alternative Sox17 floxed mutation is offered in Stock No. 031712
