Removing the vertebrate-specific TBP N terminus disrupts placental beta2m-dependent interactions with the maternal immune system.

Mammalian TBP consists of a 180 amino acid core that is common to all eukaryotes, fused to a vertebrate-specific N-terminal domain. We generated mice having a modified tbp allele, tbp(DeltaN), that produces a version of TBP lacking 111 of the 135 vertebrate-specific amino acids. Most tbp(DeltaN/DeltaN) fetuses (>90%) died in midgestation from an apparent defect in the placenta.

Molecular genotyping of the mouse scid allele.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, which lack mature B- and T-cells, provide an important system for studies on immunity and disease. However, since the scid mutation is a single T-to-A transversion, genotypic analysis can be problematic. We have developed a rapid and simple sequence-based analysis that provides identification of both the scid and the wild-type (+) allele.