This transgenic strain carries a mouse rhodopsin gene that bears a termination codon at residue 334, which encodes a C-terminal truncated rhodopsin protein. Submitted to Rat Resource & Research Center
Last Known Status:
Cryopreserved Embryo; Cryopreserved Sperm (as of 2017-08-17)
Rats demonstrate both photoreceptor degeneration and immunodeficiency (background: NIH nude rat). The outer nuclear layer is reduced to one row at the age of 3-4 weeks. The rod photoreceptors do not develop outer segments.
Transplantation of human cells to replace demaged or lost photoreceptors or to prevent retinal degeneration without the need of immunosuppression. For experiments, rats can have 1 or 2 copies of transgene, but need to be homozygous nude. The advantage of not having to use immunosuppression means healthier transplant recipients, and healthier transplants. Although the rats need to be housed under protective conditions, they are in general much healthier than immunosuppressed rats.