title: Targeted disruption of Gnas in embryonic stem cells.
abstract: Mutations in the gene encoding the stimulatory G protein of adenylyl cyclase (G alpha(s)) are present in subjects with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, a syndrome of characteristic developmental defects and, in some patients, resistance to multiple hormones that stimulate cAMP accumulation (pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia). As the first step in generating a model of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, the gene encoding G alpha(s) (Gnas) was disrupted in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by homologous recombination. Northern blot analysis and immunoblot analysis demonstrated that steady-state levels of G alpha(s) messenger RNA and G alpha(s) protein in targeted ES cells were approximately 50% of levels in untargeted ES cells. In response to 10 microM forskolin and to various concentrations of isoproterenol (0.1-3.0 microM), cAMP accumulation was reduced in the G alpha(s) knockout ES cell lines, relative to wild-type ES cells and to five of six ES cell lines with randomly integrated targeting vector. These results support the role of G alpha(s) haploinsufficiency in reducing the ability of hormones to generate cAMP in subjects with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia. The targeted disruption of Gnas in mouse ES cells establishes an in vitro system for further studies of the role of G alpha(s) and cAMP coupled signal transduction in differentiation and development.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. wschwind@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Schwindinger
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lawler
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gearhart
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D005576:Colforsin; D004247:DNA; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D007545:Isoproterenol