Neuropathology of mice with targeted disruption of Hexa gene, a model of Tay-Sachs disease.

A murine model of Tay-Sachs disease, the prototype of the GM2 gangliosidoses, was produced through the targeted disruption of the Hexa gene encoding the subunit of alpha-hexosaminidase A. The mice were completely devoid of beta-hexosaminidase A activity and accumulated GM2 ganglioside in the CNS in an age-dependent manner. Neurons with membranous cytoplasmic bodies (MCBs), identical to those described in Tay-Sachs disease, were identified in the brain of these mice.