Stargardt disease (STGD), a hereditary macular dystrophy, is characterized by the presence of yellowish flecks within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), ultimately culminating in macular atrophy. Typically manifesting in childhood and adolescence, STGD leads to progressive central vision loss and mild dyschromatopsia. Fundoscopic examination may reveal pale yellow lesions exhibiting a characteristic gold foil-like sheen, accompanied by yellow-white spots surrounding the posterior pole. In advanced stages, atrophy of the RPE, photoreceptors, and choriocapillaris is observed. This bilateral and typically synchronous condition affects both eyes with comparable incidence across sexes, estimated between 1/8,000 and 1/13,000. STGD is predominantly an autosomal recessive disorder, with mutations in the ABCA4 gene accounting for approximately 95% of cases. ABCA4 encodes a retina-specific ABC transporter protein crucial for the clearance of retinal derivatives and toxic metabolites generated during rhodopsin photobleaching. Consequently, ABCA4 mutations result in the accumulation of these cytotoxic substances, triggering apoptosis of both RPE and photoreceptor cells and ultimately driving retinal degeneration. Notably, ABCA4 mutations have been implicated in a spectrum of retinal diseases, including STGD, cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), with the specific clinical phenotype correlating with the nature and severity of the ABCA4 mutation. This strain is an Abca4 gene knockout (KO) mouse model. Gene-editing technology was used to delete the protein-coding sequence of the Abca4 gene (the homolog of the human ABCA4 gene) in mice. Previous studies have demonstrated that Abca4 KO mice exhibit delayed dark adaptation following photobleaching and a slow progression of photoreceptor degeneration^[1]. Homozygous Abca4-KO mice are viable and fertile.

The ALPL gene encodes for the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) enzyme, a membrane-bound glycoprotein. This enzyme is expressed in a variety of cellular tissues, most notably in the liver, bone, and kidney, as well as in other areas like teeth and mesenchymal stem cells ^[1]. Its primary function is to act as a hydrolase, removing phosphate groups from molecules. This is a critical function for skeletal and dental mineralization, where it hydrolyzes inorganic pyrophosphate (a mineralization inhibitor) into phosphate, which then combines with calcium to form bone ^[2]. Mutations in the ALPL gene lead to hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare inherited metabolic disease characterized by defective bone and tooth mineralization, rickets, osteomalacia, and in severe cases, seizures and respiratory complications. The severity of HPP varies, ranging from mild forms with dental issues to life-threatening perinatal forms ^[3]. Variations in the ALPL gene may also be associated with other diseases, such as osteoporosis. Research has found a high frequency of homozygous common ALPL gene variants in adult patients with atypical femoral fractures or with biochemical/clinical signs of hypophosphatasia (HPP). This suggests that variations in the ALPL gene may be linked to an increased risk of these fractures ^[4]. Furthermore, the expression and function of the ALPL gene may be relevant to cancer immunotherapy. Studies have shown that an alkaline phosphatase isoform, known as ALPL-1, is highly expressed in osteosarcoma (OS) ^[5]. The Alpl KO mouse is a knockout (KO) model in which the exon 3~4 of the Alpl gene (homologous to the human ALPL gene) has been deleted via gene-editing technology. Preliminary validation data indicate that homozygous Alpl KO mice have a short lifespan, dying within four weeks when given a specialized diet. If they are not provided with this dietary support, no surviving homozygous individuals are obtained. This model can be used to study the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases such as hypophosphatasia (HPP), osteoporosis, and osteosarcoma (OS), and to provide a basis for developing related therapeutic strategies.

The AGXT gene, mapping to chromosome 2q37.3, encodes alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent homotetrameric enzyme predominantly expressed in hepatic peroxisomes ^[1]. AGT is central to glyoxylate metabolism, catalyzing its transamination to glycine and preventing its oxidation to oxalate ^[1]. Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH1), a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting approximately 1-3 per million individuals, arises from over 175 identified pathogenic mutations in AGXT. These mutations typically result in deficient or mislocalized AGT, leading to marked overproduction of oxalate ^[2]. The ensuing hyperoxaluria causes deposition of calcium oxalate in the kidneys, manifesting as nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, which can progress to end-stage renal disease ^[3]. In severe cases, systemic oxalosis can occur ^[4]. Agxt-deficient mice serve as critical preclinical models, faithfully mirroring the biochemical and pathological features of PH1 and enabling the evaluation of diverse therapeutic modalities, including enzyme replacement, substrate reduction, and gene therapy. The Agxt KO mouse is a gene knockout model created using gene-editing techniques to knock out the coding sequence of the Agxt gene (the homolog of the human AGXT gene) in mice. This model is used to research the pathogenic mechanisms of primary hyperoxaluria and develop related therapeutic strategies.

The ATP7B gene encodes a copper-transporting ATPase β-peptide that is a member of the P-type cation-transporting ATPase family, which uses the energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules to transport metals into and out of cells. The ATP7B protein consists of multiple transmembrane structural domains, an ATPase consensus sequence, a hinge structural domain, and a phosphorylation site, as well as at least two putative copper-binding sites ^[1]. This protein is found mainly in the liver and to a lesser extent in the kidney and brain, and functions as a copper-transporting ATPase that plays a role in transporting copper from the liver to other parts of the body. Copper is an important component of certain enzymes that maintain normal cellular function, and the ATP7B protein is important for the removal of excess copper from the body. Mutations in this gene are associated with Wilson disease (WD), which is characterized by the accumulation of copper to toxic levels that damage tissues and organs such as the liver and brain as the removal of excess copper from the body is compromised with the absence of the functional ATP7B protein ^[2-4]. This strain is an Atp7b deletion mouse model, which uses gene editing technology to knock out Atp7b, the homolog of the human ATP7B gene in mice that lack the expression of ATP7B protein and can be used in the study of disorders related to copper metabolisms such as Wilson's disease, acute liver failure, and steatohepatitis. The heterozygous Atp7b KO mice are viable and fertile, and homozygous mice have a reduced life expectancy.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is the second most prevalent form of early-onset dementia, following Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This condition is distinguished by the selective degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes, resulting in personality and behavioral changes, language impairments, and executive dysfunction. Approximately 40%-50% of FTD cases have a familial component, with known causative genes including MAPT, FUS, and TARDBP. Of these, MAPT is the earliest discovered and most frequently implicated in FTD. Mutations in the MAPT gene are detectable in roughly 30% of familial FTD cases ^[1]. The tau protein, a microtubule-associated protein encoded by MAPT, is primarily localized to neuronal axons and plays a critical role in microtubule stability and assembly. By binding to microtubules, the tau protein helps to maintain neuronal cell shape. Mutations in MAPT can promote tau aggregation, leading to pathological tau protein accumulation and death of glutamatergic cortical neurons ^[2]. Additionally, certain MAPT mutations can affect pre-mRNA exon splicing, altering the ratio of 3R to 4R tau protein isoforms and increasing the relative production of 4R-tau protein, which is more prone to fibril formation ^[3-4]. Therapies targeting the MAPT gene primarily consist of small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies, with indications including AD and FTD. Transgenic mice are frequently used in the drug development process, and the utilization of humanized animal models can facilitate the translation of promising treatments into clinical trials ^[5-9]. This strain is a humanized mouse model in which the endogenous mouse Mapt gene has been replaced with its human counterpart, including the 3’UTR region. This model can be utilized to study various neurodegenerative diseases, such as FTD and AD. This model is commonly named htau. In addition, based on the independently developed TurboKnockout fusion BAC recombination technology, Cyagen can also generate hot mutation models based on this strain and provide customized services for specific mutations to meet the experimental needs in pharmacology and other fields.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive, and disabling X-linked recessive genetic disorder characterized primarily by muscle atrophy. This disease leads to motor impairments, eventually requiring assisted ventilation, and often results in premature death. The primary cause of DMD is mutations in the DMD gene, which encodes the dystrophin protein. These mutations lead to a reduction or absence of dystrophin in muscle tissue, resulting in muscle atrophy and related complications ^[1]. The lack of dystrophin leads to the breakdown of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) within the muscle membrane, disrupting the interaction between actin and the extracellular matrix, making the muscles more susceptible to damage. This susceptibility results in the gradual loss of muscle tissue and function, potentially leading to cardiomyopathy ^[2]. Researchers have identified thousands of different DMD gene mutations in patients with DMD. Deletion mutations account for approximately 60%–70%, while duplication mutations account for 5%–15%. These mutations are primarily concentrated in hotspot regions of the DMD gene, specifically between exons 45-55 (47%) and exons 3-9 (7%) ^[1]. Currently, gene therapy approaches for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) primarily include exon skipping and AAV supplementation, as well as emerging gene editing techniques like CRISPR. The exon skipping strategy involves using antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drugs to bind to specific sequences of pre-mRNA, skipping the mutated exon and restoring the open reading frame (ORF) integrity, thus producing a truncated but partially functional dystrophin protein. Several ASO drugs targeting the DMD gene have been approved, such as Eteplirsen (targeting exon 51), Golodirsen (targeting exon 53), and Casimersen (targeting exon 45) developed by Sarepta, and Viltolarsen (targeting exon 53) developed by Nippon Shinyaku. Since most ASO and CRISPR-based gene editing therapies target the human DMD gene, humanizing mouse genes helps accelerate clinical applications for DMD therapies, considering the genetic differences between animals and humans. The B6-hDMD (E49-53)*Del E50 mouse is a humanized model of the Dmd gene, in which the genomic sequences corresponding to exons 49–53 and their flanking regions in the mouse Dmd gene have been replaced with the corresponding human DMD gene sequences, followed by knock-out of exon 50 in the human DMD gene within the mouse genome. This model is suitable for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In addition, based on the independently developed TurboKnockout fusion BAC recombination technology, Cyagen provides other humanized models such as [hE49-53], [hE44-45, c.6438+2 T to A], [hE8-30], covering most popular research areas and offering customized services based on different mutation needs.