The absence of Tssc6, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily, does not affect lymphoid development but enhances in vitro T-cell proliferative responses.

ABSTRACT: The tetraspanins are a family of integral membrane proteins with four transmembrane domains. These molecules form multimolecular networks on the surfaces of many different cell types. Gene-targeting studies have revealed a role for tetraspanins in B- and T-lymphocyte function. We have isolated and deleted a novel tetraspanin, Tssc6, which is expressed exclusively in hematopoietic and lymphoid organs. Using a gene-trapping strategy, we generated an embryonic stem (ES) cell line with an insertion in the Tssc6 locus. Mice were derived from these ES cells and, using RNase protection and reverse transcription-PCR, we demonstrated that the insertion resulted in a null mutation of the Tssc6 allele. Mice homozygous for the gene trap insertion (Tssc6(gt/gt) mice) were viable and fertile, with norma

SUBMITTER: Tarrant JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC139789 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature