Multiple knockout mouse models reveal lincRNAs are required for life and brain development

• Published in: eLife Vol. 2; p. e01749
• Main Authors: Sauvageau, Martin, Goff, Loyal A, Lodato, Simona, Bonev, Boyan, Groff, Abigail F, Gerhardinger, Chiara, Sanchez-Gomez, Diana B, Hacisuleyman, Ezgi, Li, Eric, Spence, Matthew, Liapis, Stephen C, Mallard, William, Morse, Michael, Swerdel, Mavis R, D'Ecclessis, Michael F, Moore, Jennifer C, Lai, Venus, Gong, Guochun, Yancopoulos, George D, Frendewey, David, Kellis, Manolis, Hart, Ronald P, Valenzuela, David M, Arlotta, Paola, Rinn, John L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England eLife Sciences Publications Ltd 31.12.2013; eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
• Subjects: Ablation; Animal models; Animals; Brain - growth & development; brain development; Candidates; Cell cycle; Developmental Biology and Stem Cells; developmental defect; Gastrointestinal tract; Gene expression; Genes and Chromosomes; Genomes; knockout mouse model; lethality; long noncoding RNA; Mass spectrometry; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Neocortex; Neonates; Peptides; Proteins; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; RNA, Long Noncoding - physiology; Scientific imaging; Stem cells; Transcription; brain development; long noncoding RNAs; knockout mouse models; developmental defect; lethality
• ISSN: 2050-084X; 2050-084X
• DOI: 10.7554/elife.01749

Many studies are uncovering functional roles for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), yet few have been tested for in vivo relevance through genetic ablation in animal models. To investigate the functional relevance of lncRNAs in various physiological conditions, we have developed a collection of 18 lncRNA knockout strains in which the locus is maintained transcriptionally active. Initial characterization revealed peri- and postnatal lethal phenotypes in three mutant strains (Fendrr, Peril, and Mdgt), the latter two exhibiting incomplete penetrance and growth defects in survivors. We also report growth defects for two additional mutant strains (linc-Brn1b and linc-Pint). Further analysis revealed defects in lung, gastrointestinal tract, and heart in Fendrr(-/-) neonates, whereas linc-Brn1b(-/-) mutants displayed distinct abnormalities in the generation of upper layer II-IV neurons in the neocortex. This study demonstrates that lncRNAs play critical roles in vivo and provides a framework and impetus for future larger-scale functional investigation into the roles of lncRNA molecules. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01749.001.