Fgg^tm1Lord

A targeting vector was constructed with an in-frame deletion of the six bp within exon 8 that encode for asparagine 319 and aspartic acid 320. This mutation was predicted to prevent calcium binding and protein polymerization. For diagnostic purposes, a Xho I restriction site was removed and a Sca I site was added within exon 8, and a Bgl II site was inserted 68 bp upstream from the start of exon 8. The vector replaced exon 8 and inserted a pgk-HPRT selection cassette into intron 10. Protein isolated from heterozygous mice was not fully protected from plasmin cleavage in the presence of calcium demonstrating altered calcium binding by the mutated protein. (J:130183)