RXR gamma null mice are apparently normal and compound RXR alpha +/-/RXR beta -/-/RXR gamma -/- mutant mice are viable

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Aug 20;93(17):9010-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.17.9010.

Abstract

The RXR gamma (RXR, retinoid X receptor) gene was disrupted in the mouse. Homozygous mutant mice developed normally and were indistinguishable from their RXR gamma +/- or wild-type littermates with respect to growth, fertility, viability, and apparent behavior in the animal facility. Moreover, RXR alpha -/-/RXR gamma -/- and RXR beta -/-/RXR gamma -/- mutant phenotypes were indistinguishable from those of RXR alpha -/- and RXR beta -/- mutants, respectively. Strikingly, RXR alpha +/-/RXR beta -/-/RXR gamma -/- triple mutants were viable. Thus, it appears that RXR gamma does not exert any essential function that cannot be performed by RXR alpha or RXR beta, and one copy of RXR alpha is sufficient to perform most of the functions of the RXRs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout / embryology
  • Mice, Knockout / growth & development
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle Development
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / embryology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / growth & development
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics*
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / isolation & purification
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / isolation & purification

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/M84817