Generation of mice with a conditional null fraser syndrome 1 (Fras1) allele |
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Authors: | Jolanta E. Pitera Mark Turmaine Adrian S. Woolf Peter J. Scambler |
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Affiliation: | 1. Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom;2. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, United Kingdom;3. Developmental Biomedicine, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom |
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Abstract: | Summary: Fraser syndrome (FS) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by skin lesions and kidney and upper airway malformations. Fraser syndrome 1 (FRAS1) is an extracellular matrix protein, and FRAS1 homozygous mutations occur in some FS individuals. FRAS1is expressed at the epithelial‐mesenchymal interface in embryonic skin and kidney. blebbed mice have a null Fras1 mutation and phenocopy human FS. Like humans with FS, they exhibit a high fetal and neonatal mortality, precluding studies of FRAS1 functions in later life. We generated conditional Fras1 null allele mice. Cre‐mediated generalized deletion of this allele generated embryonic skin blisters and renal agenesis characteristic of blebbed mice and human FS. Targeted deletion of Fras1 in kidney podocytes circumvented skin blistering, renal agenesis, and early death. FRAS1 expression was downregulated in maturing glomeruli which then became sclerotic. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that locally produced FRAS1 has roles in glomerular maturation and integrity. This conditional allele will facilitate study of possible role for FRAS1 in other tissues such as the skin. genesis 50:892–898, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
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Keywords: | blebbed glomerulus renal agenesis skin |
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