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Normal immune system development in mice lacking the Deltex-1 RING finger domain
Sébastien Storck1, Frédéric Delbos, Nicolas Stadler
1INSERM U373, Faculté de Médecine Necker-Enfants Malades, 75730 Paris, France.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Deltex-1 ubiquitin ligase activity is not essential for mouse development or immune function. Researchers found that mice lacking this specific domain showed normal T- and B-cell development and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Notch signaling pathway regulates lymphocyte development and cell fate decisions.
- Deltex-1, a RING finger ubiquitin ligase, is implicated in Notch signaling and B-cell commitment.
- Previous studies suggested Deltex-1's role in B-cell lineage and germinal-center B cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological function of Deltex-1's ubiquitin ligase activity in vivo.
- To determine the necessity of Deltex-1's RING finger domain for mouse development and immune function.
Main Methods:
- Generation of Deltex-1 (Delta/Delta) mutant mice lacking the essential RING finger domain.
- Histological analysis of major organs in Deltex-1 mutant mice.
- Assessment of T- and B-cell development and humoral immune responses.
Main Results:
- Deltex-1 (Delta/Delta) mice were viable and fertile with no major organ defects.
- Normal T- and B-cell development was observed in the absence of Deltex-1 ubiquitin ligase activity.
- Humoral immune responses to T-dependent and T-independent antigens were unaffected.
Conclusions:
- The ubiquitin ligase activity of Deltex-1 is dispensable for mouse development and immune function.
- Potential compensatory mechanisms, possibly involving other Deltex family members, may exist.