Patent ID: 6455754
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A01K,A61P,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
A method of screening for a compound that detectably affects activity of a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, comprising:(a) introducing the compound into a transgenic mouse all of whose somatic cells and germ cells contain a homozygous disruption of the endogenous &bgr;2-subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, wherein the homozygous disruption results in the absence of expression of the &bgr;2-subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and a lack of inward current activity in anterior thalamic neurons in response to a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist in the mouse; and (b) selecting the compound that detectably affects activity of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.