Generation of mice with a conditional allele for the p75 NTR neurotrophin receptor gene

Abstract

The p75 NTR neurotrophin receptor has been implicated in multiple biological and pathological processes. While significant advances have recently been made in understanding the physiologic role of p75 NTR , many details and aspects remain to be determined. This is in part because the two existing knockout mouse models (Exons 3 or 4 deleted, respectively), both display features that defy definitive conclusions. Here we describe the generation of mice that carry a conditional p75 NTR (p75 NTR‐FX ) allele made by flanking Exons 4–6, which encode the transmembrane and all cytoplasmic domains, by loxP sites. To validate this novel conditional allele, both neural crest‐specific p75 NTR /Wnt1‐Cre mutants and conventional p75 NTR null mutants were generated. Both mutants displayed abnormal hind limb reflexes, implying that loss of p75 NTR in neural crest‐derived cells causes a peripheral neuropathy similar to that seen in conventional p75 NTR mutants. This novel conditional p75 NTR allele will offer new opportunities to investigate the role of p75 NTR in specific tissues and cells. genesis 49:862–869, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Periodicals, Inc.