Human COMT Val mice have the human COMT gene replacing the entire coding region of the endogenous gene. They may be useful when studying schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
Xianjin Zhou, University of California San Diego
Genetic Background | Generation |
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Allele Type | Gene Symbol | Gene Name |
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Targeted (Null/Knockout, Inserted expressed sequence) | Comt | catechol-O-methyltransferase |
Human COMT Val mice contain human catechol-O-methyltransferase (Comt) gene replacing the endogenous coding region. Membrane bound COMT is highly expressed in both prefrontal cortex and hippocampus and is a key enzyme in catecholamine clearance from the synapse. COMT helps maintain appropriate levels of neurotransmitters, such as such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in prefrontal cortex. Mutations and increased frequency of this gene are associated with schizophrenia, anxiety, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. Homozygous Human COMT Val mice are viable and fertile. The donating investigator reports a lack of phenotype on this 129 genetic background (July 2018). We may modify the strain description if necessary as any results become available.
Of note, this allele is also available on a C57BL/6J congenic background as Stock No. 032382.
Companion strains, containing containing a Val158Met mutation, commonly associated with the development of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, are available on a congenic B6J background (Stock No. 032383) and a 129 coisogenic background (Stock No. 027993). The congenic B6J Val158Met strain shows behavioral phenotypes consistent with those seen in patients with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
The Human COMT Val targeting construct was designed to replace the entire endogenous catechol-O-methyltransferase (Comt) coding region with human Comt sequence followed by a neomycin (neo) resistance cassette. This targeting construct was electroporated into 129Sv-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells and correctly targeted ES cells were injected into blastocysts. Human COMT Val mice were maintained on a 129Sv background. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, mutant mice were bred to 129S1/SvImJ (Stock No. 002448) mice for at least one generation to establish the colony.
Expressed Gene | COMT, catechol-O-methyltransferase, human |
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Site of Expression | Human COMT is expressed in both prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. |
Allele Name | targeted mutation 1, Xianjin Zhou |
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Allele Type | Targeted (Null/Knockout, Inserted expressed sequence) |
Allele Synonym(s) | Human COMT Val |
Gene Symbol and Name | Comt, catechol-O-methyltransferase |
Gene Synonym(s) | |
Expressed Gene | COMT, catechol-O-methyltransferase, human |
Site of Expression | Human COMT is expressed in both prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. |
Strain of Origin | 129 |
Chromosome | 16 |
Molecular Note | The targeting construct was designed to replace the entire endogenous coding region with the human sequence following by a neomycin (neo) resistance cassette. Western blot analysis confirmed the absence of protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex. |
When maintaining a live colony, homozygous mice may be bred together.
When using the Val/Val mouse strain in a publication, please cite the originating article(s) and include JAX stock #027990 in your Materials and Methods section.
Facility Barrier Level Descriptions
Service/Product | Description | Price |
---|---|---|
Heterozygous or wildtype for Comt<tm1(COMT)Xzho> |
Frozen Mouse Embryo | 129-Comt<tm1(COMT)Xzho>/J | $2595.00 |
Frozen Mouse Embryo | 129-Comt<tm1(COMT)Xzho>/J | $2595.00 |
Frozen Mouse Embryo | 129-Comt<tm1(COMT)Xzho>/J | $3373.50 |
Frozen Mouse Embryo | 129-Comt<tm1(COMT)Xzho>/J | $3373.50 |
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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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