A Nurr1-Knockout Mouse Model for Parkinson's Disease and Stem Cell Differentiation

The researchers have generated Nurr1-knockout mice via genomic locus inactivation using homologous recombination.

Transcription factor Nurr1 is an obligatory factor for neurotransmitter dopamine biosynthesis in ventral midbrain. From a neurological and clinical perspective, it suggests an entirely new mechanism for dopamine depletion in a region where dopamine is known to be involved in Parkinson's disease. Activation of Nurr1 may be therapeutically useful for Parkinson's disease patients; therefore, the mice would be useful in Parkinson's disease research.

Additionally, Nurr1 has been shown to be critical for development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, and thus may contribute to stem cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. Nurr1 is also important for osteoblast differentiation, suggesting a general role in stem cell differentiation and growth.