Targeted Disruption of Mouse EGF receptor: Effect of Genetic Background on Mutant Phenotype

• DOI: 10.1126/science.7618084
• Publication Date: 2006-10-27T14:19:42Z
• Authors: David W. Threadgill; Andrzej A. Dlugosz; Laura A. Hansen; Tamar Tennenbaum; Ulrike Lichti; Della Yee; Christian LaMantia; Tracy Mourton; Karl Herrup; Raymond C. Harris; John A. Barnard; Stuart H. Yuspa; Robert J. Coffey; Terry Magnuson
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Base Sequence; Homozygote; Molecular Sequence Data; Brain; Kidney; ErbB Receptors; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Phenotype; Gene Targeting; Mutation; Animals; Abnormalities, Multiple; Female; Digestive System; Digestive System Abnormalities; Lung; Cell Division; Hair

Gene targeting was used to create a null allele at the epidermal growth factor receptor locus ( Egfr ). The phenotype was dependent on genetic background. EGFR deficiency on a CF-1 background resulted in peri-implantation death due to degeneration of the inner cell mass. On a 129/Sv background, homozygous mutants died at mid-gestation due to placental defects; on a CD-1 background, the mutants lived for up to 3 weeks and showed abnormalities in skin, kidney, brain, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. The multiple abnormalities associated with EGFR deficiency indicate that the receptor is involved in a wide range of cellular activities.