IsK Knockout Mouse

Inventors: Steve Heinemann
Potential Uses: Molecular Neurobiology, CNS, Drug Discovery and Development
Mouse model for waltzer syndrome exhibiting hyperactivity, head tilt and bobbing

The IsK gene encodes a small protein of 129-130 amino acids that spans the cell membrane only once and gives rise to slowly activating, voltage dependent K+ conductances. The IsK gene is expressed in the kidney, heart and inner ear. Gene targeting techniques were used in mouse embryonic stem cells to produce mice with a null mutation of the IsK gene. A standard replacement vector was created and used to delete the entire coding sequence of the IsK gene. These IsK knockout mice, which express aberrant behavior due to the K+ channel defect, are models for the waltzer syndrome exhibiting hyperactivity, bi-directional circling, head tilt and bobbing.