Floxed allele for conditional inactivation of the GABAB(1) gene

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Abstract
GABAB receptors are the G‐protein‐coupled receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA. GABAB receptors are broadly expressed in the nervous system. Their complete absence in mice causes premature lethality or—when mice are viable—epilepsy, impaired memory, hyperalgesia, hypothermia, and hyperactivity. A spatially and temporally restricted loss of GABAB function would allow addressing how the absence of GABAB receptors leads to these diverse phenotypes. To permit a conditional gene inactivation, we flanked critical exons of the GABAB(1) gene with lox511 sites. GABAB(1)lox511/lox511 mice exhibit normal levels of GABAB(1) protein, are fertile, and do not display any behavioral phenotype. We crossed GABAB(1)lox511/lox511 with Cre‐deleter mice to produce mice with an unrestricted GABAB receptor elimination. These GABAB(1)−/− mice no longer synthesize GABAB(1) protein and exhibit the expected behavioral abnormalities. The conditional GABAB(1) allele described here is therefore suitable for generating mice with a site‐ and time‐specific loss of GABAB function. genesis 40:125–130, 2004.
Funding Information
  • Swiss Science Foundation (3100-067100.01)