Sticky mouse

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Sticky mouse is a murine possessing a gene mutation in the enzyme alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS). [1] The sticky mouse, with this particular mutation, presents a good model in which to investigate mechanisms of neuronal degeneration. Its most immediately obvious symptom is a sticky secretion on the mouse's fur (thus the name); however, it is accompanied by lack of muscle control, ataxia, alopecia, loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, and eventually, death.

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Sticky mouse is one of several animal mutants that are known to have problems in mRNA translation and are used in studies. [2]

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References

  1. Roy H, Ibba M (September 2006). "Molecular biology: sticky end in protein synthesis". Nature . 443 (7107): 41–2. Bibcode:2006Natur.443...41R. doi:10.1038/nature05002. PMID   16906138. S2CID   5998660.
  2. Scheper GC, van der Knaap MS, Proud CG (September 2007). "Translation matters: protein synthesis defects in inherited disease". Nat. Rev. Genet. 8 (9): 711–23. doi:10.1038/nrg2142. PMID   17680008. S2CID   12153982.