Mutations at the mouse microphthalmia locus are associated with defects in a gene encoding a novel basic-helix-loop-helix-zipper protein

Colin A. Hodgkinson, Karen J. Moore, Atsuo Nakayama, Eiríkur Steingrímsson, Neal G. Copeland, Nancy A. Jenkins, Heinz Arnheiter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

986 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mice with mutations at the microphthalmia (mi) locus have some or all of the following defects: loss of pigmentation, reduced eye size, failure of secondary bone resorption, reduced numbers of mast cells, and early onset of deafness. Using a transgenic insertional mutation at this locus, we have identified a gene whose expression is disrupted in transgenic animals. This gene encodes a novel member of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-ZIP) protein family of transcription factors, is altered in mice carrying two independent mi alleles (mi and miws), and is expressed in the developing eye, ear, and skin, all anatomical sites affected by mi. The multiple spontaneous and induced mutations available at mi provide a unique biological resource for studying the role of a bHLH-ZIP protein in mammalian development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)395-404
Number of pages10
JournalCell
Volume74
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 30 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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