zhang-affy-arabi-50806

In our original grant we proposed to use the NR3B-null mouse model to study the role of NR3B subunit in motor neuron function. We have now successfully generated NR3B null mice. Interestingly, NR3B-null mice invariably die at age P4-P8. Our preliminary examination indicates that the motor strength of these mice is severely impaired prior to death. As we continue to explore the cause of death in NR3B null mice, we propose to conduct gene profiling experiments to search for transcription changes in the brain related to ablation of the NR3B gene. We would like to use the facility provided by the NINDS/NIMH Microarray Consortium to identify true outlier genes that show abnormal expression patterns in these mice. Analysis of these outlier genes will help to identify changes in networks and pathways that may cause the death of NR3B-null mice. These studies will further help to elucidate the functional role of NR3B in motor neurons.

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