Mice homozygous for the ablm1 mutation show poor viability and depletion of selected B and T cell populations

• Published in: Cell Vol. 65; no. 7; pp. 1165 - 1175
• Main Authors: Schwartzberg, Pamela L., Stall, Alan M., Hardin, Jeff D., Bowdish, Katherine S., Humaran, Teresa, Boast, Sharon, Harbison, Margaret L., Robertson, Elizabeth J., Goff, Stephen P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, MA Elsevier Inc 28.06.1991; Cell Press
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte - analysis; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte - analysis; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow Cells; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids; Eye Abnormalities - genetics; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Hematopoiesis; Homozygote; Lymphocytes - cytology; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Oligonucleotides - chemistry; Phenotype; Phosphorylation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl - genetics; Spleen - cytology; Spleen - pathology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology; Vertebrata; Spleen; Thymus gland; Enzyme; Rodentia; B-Lymphocyte; Lethal character; Homozygozity; Eye; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; C-Onc gene; T-Lymphocyte; Development; Mutation; Protein-tyrosine kinase; Viability; Lymphocytopenia
• ISSN: 0092-8674; 1097-4172
• DOI: 10.1016/0092-8674(91)90012-N

The c- abl gene, originally identified as the cellular homolog of the transforming gene of the Abelson murine leukemia virus, encodes a protein-tyrosine kinase of unknown function that is expressed in all mammalian tissues. We have previously described the introduction of a mutation in the c- abl gene into the mouse germline via targeted gene disruption of embryonic stem cells. We now show that mice homozygous for this mutation are severely affected, displaying increased perinatal mortality, runtedness, and abnormal spleen, head, and eye development. We have examined components of the immune system and have found major reductions in B cell progenitors in the adult bone marrow, with less dramatic reductions in developing T cell compartments.