Mouse ENU Mutagenesis

Generating mouse models of retinal disease using ENU mutagenesis

We used the chemical mutagen, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, to induce random point mutations in the germline of the mouse strain C57BL/6 in order to generate models of retinal diseases. 1163 mutagenised first generation mice produced using this approach were examined for eye abnormalities. Approximately one-third (412) presented with some form of ocular abnormality. Most changes were unilateral and co...

Identification of Mouse Cytomegalovirus Resistance Loci by ENU Mutagenesis

Host resistance to infection depends on the efficiency with which innate immune responses keep the infectious agent in check. Innate immunity encompasses components with sensing, signaling and effector properties. These elements with non-redundant functions are encoded by a set of host genes, the resistome. Here, we review our findings concerning the resistome. We have screened randomly mutagen...

New insights into behaviour using mouse ENU mutagenesis

Identifying genes involved in behavioural disorders in man is a challenge as the cause is often multigenic and the phenotype is modulated by environmental cues. Mouse mutants are a valuable tool for identifying novel pathways underlying specific neurological phenotypes and exploring the influence both genetic and non-genetic factors. Many human variants causing behavioural disorders are not gen...

ENU mutagenesis in the mouse: application to human genetic disease.

Genetic approaches in model organisms provide a powerful means by which to examine the biological basis of human diseases as well as the physiological processes that are affected by them. Although not without its drawbacks, the mouse has become the mammalian species of choice in studying the molecular basis of disease. Targeted mutagenesis approaches in the mouse have led to dramatic increases ...

ENU mutagenesis: a work in progress.