Mice with a null mutation of the TGFalpha gene have abnormal skin architecture, wavy hair, and curly whiskers and often develop corneal inflammation

Article Abstract:

Homozygous disruption of the transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) in mice results in animals with abnormal skin architecture, wavy hair, curly whiskers while many develop corneal inflammation. This phenotype is quite similar to that of the mice mutant waved-1 (wa-1). Crossing TGFalpha -/- and wa-1 mice result in offspring with the curly whisker-coat phenotype suggesting that the wa-1 phenotype results from a mutation in the TGFalpha gene. TGFalpha must be involved in determining and regulating skin architecture and hair development.

TGFalpha deficiency results in hair follicle and eye abnormalities in targeted and waved-1 mice

Article Abstract:

Homozygous disruption of the mouse transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) gene resulted in animals with wavy whiskers and fur with abnormally curved, disoriented and misaligned hair follicles. Many homozygous and some heterozygous mice also had eye abnormalities of variable incidence and severity such as open eyelids at birth, decreased eyeball size and superficial opacity. The same phenotype was found in recessive mutation of waved-1 mice (wa-1) with cross breeding of the two confirming the allelism of wa-1 and TGFalpha.

Allelomorphism, Alleles

Multiple defects in the immune system of Lyn-deficient mice, culminating in autoimmune disease

Article Abstract:

The role of LYN in hematopoietic cell surface receptor complexes was examined using Lyn-deficient mice generated by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. Immune responses of Lyn-deficient mice to T-dependent and T-independent antigens were affected. The mice also lost the ability to mediate signaling events to produce an allergic response to immunoglobulin E cross-linking, indicating that LYN plays an important role in immunoglobulin-mediated signaling.

Research, Autoimmune diseases, Cellular signal transduction, Immunoglobulin genes, Hematopoietic system