A phenotype for the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor null mutant

The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is heavily expressed in the mammalian brain. On a molecular level, the alpha7 nAChR may have a diversity of functions, but it is not known if these molecular events translate into phenotypes. The null mutant mouse is viable and generally normal. He...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research 2004-10, Vol.1023 (1), p.41-47
Main Authors: Morley, Barbara J, Rodriguez-Sierra, Jorge F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Animals
Female
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Mutation
Ovary - metabolism
Ovulation - genetics
Ovulation - metabolism
Phenotype
Receptors, Nicotinic - deficiency
Receptors, Nicotinic - genetics
Receptors, Nicotinic - physiology
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Summary:The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is heavily expressed in the mammalian brain. On a molecular level, the alpha7 nAChR may have a diversity of functions, but it is not known if these molecular events translate into phenotypes. The null mutant mouse is viable and generally normal. Here, we report a phenotype for the alpha7 nAChR null mutant mouse. The alpha7 nAChR is obligatory for the synchronization of an important biological rhythm, the female estrous cycle. The female null mutant mouse has asynchronous estrous cycles and a reduced number of surviving pups. Female null mutants also demonstrate a reliable diversity in phenotype, suggesting an interaction between environment and gene expression. Real-time RT-PCR measurements of the alpha7 mRNA expression in reproductive tissues of wild-type mice suggest that the ovulatory dysfunction in null mutants is probably central in origin.
ISSN:0006-8993
DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2004.07.006