Pcsk9 Mouse Models

Why Model Pcsk9

Pcsk9 is the mouse ortholog of human PCSK9 and encodes proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, a secreted protein that binds the LDL receptor and promotes its degradation, which has been associated with increased plasma LDL cholesterol.

Gain-of-function PCSK9 variants are associated with familial hypercholesterolemia and loss-of-function variants with lower LDL cholesterol; PCSK9 inhibitors are used clinically to lower LDL cholesterol. Pcsk9-deficient mice show reduced plasma cholesterol.

Model Applications

Pcsk9 knockout and transgenic mice have been used to study LDL-receptor regulation and cholesterol metabolism. Humanized PCSK9 models, in which the human protein replaces the mouse counterpart, have been used to evaluate PCSK9-targeted therapeutics in defined experimental settings.

Custom Pcsk9 Model Options

Engineered to your specifications, with molecular validation of the targeted allele and germline transmission guaranteed.

• Conventional knockout
• Conditional knockout
• Point mutation / knockin
• Reporter knockin
• Humanized
• Targeted transgenic

Sources

• New oral PCSK9 inhibitor: “MK-0616”. Cardiol Rev. 2024. doi:10.1097/CRD.0000000000000655
• Rashid S et al. Decreased plasma cholesterol and hypersensitivity to statins in mice lacking Pcsk9. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005. doi:10.1073/pnas.0501652102
• Abifadel M et al. Mutations in PCSK9 cause autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia. Nat Genet. 2003. doi:10.1038/ng1161

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Reviewed by: Paul Sheiffele

Related gene targets: Ldlr · Apob · Lpa · Hmgcr