cGKII (PRKG2 or protein kinase, cGMP-dependent, type II) mediates cellular signaling induced by nitric oxide and cGMP. Expression of cGKII is concentrated in the brain, lung and intestinal mucosa. Depending on the tissue, cGKII is implicated in behavioral responses, the regulation of fluid balance in the intestine and in endochondral ossification at the growth plates.
The cGKII knockout allele has a neo cassette replacing part of exon 2 of the Prkg2 gene. Homozygous mice exhibit dwarfism, short limbs, cranial abnormalities, resistance to E. coli infection, anxiety-like behavior but, not aggressive behavior, and elevated alcohol consumption. These mice may be useful in studying the role of cGMP protein kinases in a variety of physiological processes.
