ZFP106_expression_profile

fp106 homozygous null mice display progressive neuromuscular degeneration leading to loss of muscle tone, tremors and paralysis of the hind limbs. By twelve weeks of age homozygotes are culled for welfare reasons. We have further characterised this phenotype and determined that the motor neurons in the spinal cord are first affected whilst skeletal muscle is affected belatedly. Zfp106 encodes a chromatin associated zinc finger protein that is likely to function through regulating expression of specific target genes. To publish this work we need to take the science beyond a descriptive characterisation of the phenotype adn get some handle on mechanism. By comparing the gene expression profiles in mutant spinal cord and skeletal muscle to equivalent profiles from wildtype tissue, we hope to get a handle on the genes that this novel zinc finger protein regulates, and to further understand the molecular consequence of inactivating this fascinating gene.