Baf60aflox mice have loxP sites flanking exons 3-5 of the SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily d, member 1 (Smarcd1) gene. BAF60A encodes a diet-sensitive subunit of a chromatin-remodeling complex that links the consumption of fat- and cholesterol-rich diet to elevated plasma cholesterol levels. Baf60a is abundantly expressed in liver and skeletal muscle and has been shown to control a hepatic gene program responsible for bile acid synthesis and intestinal cholesterol absorption. Homozygous mice are viable and fertile. When these mutant mice are bred to mice that express Cre recombinase, resulting offspring will have exons 3-5 deleted in Cre-expressing tissues. When bred to Alb-cre mice (Stock No. <a href="https://www.jax.org/strain/003574">003574</a>) expressing Cre recombinase specifically in the liver, the resulting BaLKO offspring have significant reduction of Baf60a expression specifically in the liver. On a Western diet, they are partially resistant to diet-induced hypercholesterolemia despite similar weight gain as control mice, with decreases in circulating HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol levels. They also exhibit increased cholesterol levels in the liver and in their excrement. These BaLKO mice show a 37% decrease in total bile volume and biliary acid content. When bred to MLC-cre mice (Stock No. <a href="https://www.jax.org/strain/024713">024713</a>) expressing Cre recombinase specifically in skeletal muscle, the resulting AKO offspring have no Baf60a expression in quadriceps, but exhibit no differences in high fat diet (HFD)-induced weight gain or exercise endurance. However, when AKO mice are bred to mice lacking the Smarcd3 gene (CKO; similarly derived from Baf60cflox mice Stock No. <a href="https://www.jax.org/strain/036170">036170</a>), resulting mice, lacking Baf60a and Baf60c expression (ACKO), have increased energy expenditure and protected from diet-induced and age-associated metabolic disorders.

Removal of this mouse colony is imminent. If live mice are needed for your studies, it is advised that they be ordered immediately. After removal, the mice will be available from a cryorecovery. Baf60aflox mice have loxP sites flanking exons 3-5 of the Smarcd1 gene. This strain is useful for studying hepatic bile acid metabolism, cholesterol absorption, and atherosclerosis.