Pten Knockout mouse models
Antagonism of PI3K signaling is the defining activity of Pten, ortholog of human PTEN, whose phosphatase domain dephosphorylates the 3 position of PIP3 to regenerate PIP2, collapsing PDPK1 and AKT recruitment, while its C2 domain mediates membrane binding and a carboxy-terminal tail with a PDZ-binding motif and phosphorylation cluster controls stability and the open versus closed conformation. Protein phosphatase and nuclear scaffolding activities are separable from lipid phosphatase activity, which is why the G129E lipid-dead and C124S catalytically dead knockins remain more informative than a null for mechanism. Germline deletion is embryonic lethal, and heterozygotes develop a broad tumor spectrum reflecting exquisite dose sensitivity, so conditional nulls and hypomorphic alleles that titrate expression mirror PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome better than complete loss. Choose accordingly: conditional null with a prostate, mammary or neural Cre driver for tumor latency, missense knockin for variant interpretation and inhibitor pharmacology.
Global Pten deletion answers broad mechanism questions quickly. If timing or site matters, conditional alleles are a natural next step after the null is characterized.
What Pten Knockout mouse models are available?
ingenious targeting laboratory offers 2 distinct Pten knockout catalog mouse models. Researchers can order pre-developed catalog lines or request a custom mouse model, including humanized, knockin, and transgenic variations with verified germline transmission.
Designing a Pten Knockout allele
The germline heterozygote, not the homozygote, is the usable null-derived animal for Pten. Complete loss stops development around the time of gastrulation with patterning failure, so homozygous tissue is only accessible through embryos, chimeras or derived cells. Heterozygotes are informative but noisy in a specific way: they develop lymphoid hyperplasia and an autoimmune, lymphoproliferative syndrome with splenomegaly and autoantibody production that can kill animals before the epithelial lesions of interest mature. Cohorts therefore need palpation and hematology schedules and clear censoring rules, otherwise survival curves report immune disease rather than cancer. Female heterozygotes reliably develop endometrial lesions, which makes the uterus a high-yield tissue for modifier screens. Do not assume classical two-hit kinetics; many lesions arise with the wild-type allele retained, so quantify residual protein by immunoblot or immunohistochemistry rather than genotyping the tumor and stopping there.
A conventional knockout answers whether the gene is required broadly. When your target tissue is the organ of interest, a global null can still be informative if viability is acceptable and you want the simplest genotype. If the null is harsh, a floxed allele with a regional Cre is the safer long term platform.
Pricing and quotes
The Pten Knockout lines listed above are catalog models. Send us the catalog number and our team confirms current availability, pricing, and whether the line ships cryopreserved or live.
If your study needs a Pten allele configuration that is not listed above, our scientific team designs and generates it. Model generation quotes return in about twenty four hours with project milestones and pricing.
FAQ
What Pten Knockout mouse models are available?
When Pten Knockout lines are in catalog, we ship from inventory. If your configuration is not listed, we design the allele to order. Common paths include conditional knockout, constitutive knockout, humanized, knockin, and transgenic options, with documented germline transmission and United States QC.
Is Pten knockout embryonic lethal in mice?
It depends on background and allele design. Some Pten germline knockouts are viable. Others need conditional alleles or mixed backgrounds. We review publications and our own experience, then recommend floxed versus null before you commit.
Which Cre driver is best for experiments?
Driver choice depends on onset timing, recombination efficiency, and known leak. We map your organ and cell type to a short list of proven Cre lines, then talk through reporter crosses and controls. We favor drivers with strong community validation for your tissue.
Do you ship live Pten animals?
When catalog lines are live, we ship with health certificates and QC documentation. If your exact combo is not listed, we quote a generation project with cryo or live dispatch depending on cohort timing and geography.
How do I request a quote for Pten?
Use the catalog inquire buttons or the request quote form. Include your allele goal, Cre plan if any, strain background, and cohort size. A PhD led team responds with pricing, milestones, and the fastest path to experimental animals.