A loxP site flanked neomycin resistance gene cassette was inserted into intron 1 and a further loxP site into intron 2. The neo cassette was deleted through subsequent cre-mediated recombination, leaving a conditional-ready allele with exon 2 floxed. A constitutive null allele was then created through cross-breeding with a cre allele containing strain. Absence of protein expression from the allele was confirmed by Western blots on antibody-stimulated B cells and MEFs. (J:240453)