Loop-tail phenotype in heterozygous mice and neural tube defects in homozygous mice result from a nonsense mutation in the Vangl2 gene.

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) is a powerful point mutagen that can generate random mutations. It has been used to generate mouse mutations to produce phenotypic models of human disease. Neural tube defects (NTD) are common birth defects in which the brain and/or spinal cord can be exposed; however, the mechanisms of these defects are poorly understood. Craniorachischisis is one type of NTD that bears a close resemblance to the phenotype of the loop-tail (Lp) mouse. Here we describe a C57BL/6J Lp mouse generated by ENU-induced mutagenesis. The mutation was mapped to the Vangl2 gene on chromosome 1, near markers D1Mit113 and D1Mit149. Sequence analysis of Vangl2 heterozygotes (Vangl2(m1Yzcm)/+) revealed a C/T transition mutation that resulted in substitution of a glutamine codon for a stop (nonsense) codon at position 449. The Vangl2 protein is involved in epithelium planar cell polarity. The predicted truncated protein would lack the PDZ-domain binding motif involved in protein-protein interaction; therefore, Vangl2(m1Yzcm) may be a loss-of-function mutant. Morphological and histological examination of homozygous mouse embryos revealed a neural tube closure defect that leads to craniorachischisis. This Vangl2(m1Yzcm) mouse represents a valuable model for the study of NTDs in humans.

Multiple abnormalities due to a nonsense mutation in the Alx4 gene.

Patterning of the limb anterior-posterior axes depends on several signals that derive from the three signaling centers of the limb bud. These signals interact to constitute a complex and ordered network that critically contributes to the development of limb buds. Preaxial polydactyly in mouse is predominantly caused by ectopic expression of the zone of polarizing activity or Sonic hedgehog in the anterior region of the limb bud. In this study, we describe an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced polydactylous mouse (Alx4m1Yzcm) with an extra digit on the anterior aspect of one or two hinddigits. The mutation was mapped to chromosome 2, between markers D2Mit45 and D2Mit184. The Alx4 gene was identified as a potential candidate gene in this location. Sequence analysis of the Alx4 gene for polydactylous heterozygotes revealed an A/T transversion mutation that resulted in substitution of a lysine codon with a stop (nonsense) codon at position 145. Alx4m1Yzcm homozygous mice exhibited multiple abnormalities, including extensive preaxial polydactyly of all four limbs (up to seven digits) and the formation of omphalocele.