This technology describes an inducible mouse line for the expression of unstable TRIP8b protein to study ion channel localization and function.
Ion channel expression and localization is key to a neuron’s electrical activity in distinct regions of the cell. However, changes in the localization or level of channel present in a brain or spinal cord cell can result in neurological diseases. One type of channel, which has differential localization patterns in some disease states, is the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channel. There is need for an animal model to evaluate the regulation and localization of HCN ion channels in heart and brain cells.
This technology describes a mouse line with inducible expression of an unstable TRIP8b protein in a cell type specific manner. This mouse model is engineered to delete the coding exon of the TRIP8b subunit, a brain specific subunit required for hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channel function. As such, this technology provides an in vivo model to assess mechanisms of HCN localization and its role in numerous disease states.