The open reading frame was replaced with a neo cassette that was subsequently removed by transient cre expression. The absence of transcript expression was confirmed by RT-PCR. This allele also results in the deletion of 6 of the up to 7 microRNAs located within the anti-sense strand of the gene, which include: Mirn127, Mirn136, Mirn431, Mirn433 (5' and 3') and Mirn434 (5' and 3'). (J:132647)