B6.129P2-Mbd2^tm1Bh/JoezJ

Stock number: 030421
Product name: Mbd2^-
Research areas: Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

Mbd2^-/- mice have a β-gal gene and a neo cassette replacing exon 2 of the methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (Mbd2) gene. These mice may be useful when studying development, differentiation, and embryogenesis.

Detailed description

Mbd2^-/- mice have a β-gal gene and a neo cassette replacing exon 2 of the methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (Mbd2) gene, stopping gene translation in the methyl-CpG binding domain. Homozygous mice are viable and fertile. MBD2 is in the same family of MBD proteins as methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) and methyl-CpG binding domain protein 1 (MBD1). It acts as a transcriptional repressor and plays a role in gene silencing by binding to methylated DNA. MBD2 is involved in many aspects of development including neuronal differentiation, T_reg function, tumorigenesis, wnt signaling. Mutations in MBD2 have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett’s Syndrome and autism. They have decreased activation of dendritic cells, and an impaired capacity to initiate Th2 immunity.

Development

A targeting vector was designed to replace exon 2 of the methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (Mbd2) gene with a promoterless β-galactosidase gene (lacZ) fused to a neomycin resistance (neo) cassette. The construct was electroporated into 129P2/OlaHsd-derived E14TG2a embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts and the resulting chimeric mice were bred to C57BL/6J mice. These Mbd2^-/- mice were backcrossed to C57BL/6J mice for at least 5 generations. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, sperm was cryopreserved. To establish our live colony, an aliquot of frozen sperm was used to fertilize C57BL/6J oocytes.

Allele

Symbol: Mbd2^tm1Bh
Name: targeted mutation 1, Brian Hendrich
MGI accession ID: MGI:2388002
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Reporter; Null/Knockout
Synonyms: Mbd2-; Mbd2^tm1.1Brd
Marker symbol: Mbd2
Marker name: methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2
Marker synonyms: DMTase; MBD2a; NY-CO-41
Chromosome: 18
Strain of origin: 129P2/OlaHsd
Expressed genes: Bgeo,fusion of beta-galactosidase and neomycin phosphotransferase genes,E. coli
Site of expression: Ubiquitous
Molecular note: Exon 2 was deleted and replaced with a promoter-less beta-geo cassette via homologous recombination. Northern blot confirmed the absence of normal transcript in homozygous mutant animals. RT-PCR analysis using primers to exon 1 and exon 3 detected a faint mutant read-through product. Western blot analysis of spleen and liver nuclear extracts from homozygous animals detected a small mutant protein presumed to be the translation product from exon 1, and would lack any functional domains.