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Animal Models

Information and resources for mouse, rat and zebrafish models used in autism and neurodevelopmental disorder research, including models generated or characterized with SFARI support.

Mouse models

A large and continually evolving collection of mouse models relevant to autism and neurodevelopmental disorder research is available through repositories and individual research laboratories. Because model selection is highly dependent on the specific scientific question and experimental approach, SFARI does not maintain a comprehensive list of mouse models nor recommend particular lines.

Many mouse models, including those generated through SFARI-supported research, have been deposited with the Jackson Laboratory and are available to the broader research community. Researchers can search the Jackson Laboratory’s mouse resources for currently available models and detailed information about individual lines.

Rat models

SFARI has supported the generation, characterization and distribution of a defined collection of rat models for autism and neurodevelopmental disorder research. These resources include models developed in collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and models generated by researchers at the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) at the University of Edinburgh.

Models generated through the SFARI–MCW initiative are maintained in an outbred Long-Evans background and are available to qualified researchers through the Medical College of Wisconsin. Additional models generated by SIDB are available through the University of Edinburgh.

Models available from MCW

For more information on these models and how to request them, contact the MCW Gene Editing Rat Resource Center at [email protected].

Models available from SIDB

In production/validation: Champ1 knockout, Nlgn3 knockout, CAG-Cre_ERT, Fmr1 cON, Syngap1 cON, Nlgn3 cON, Fmr1 FLOX, Nlgn3 FLOX, Syngap1 FLOX.

For more information on these models and how to request them, please contact SIDB at [email protected].

Zebrafish models

Zebrafish provide a genetically tractable system for studying gene function and neurodevelopment and are amenable to relatively high-throughput experimental approaches. As with other animal models, the suitability of an individual zebrafish model depends on the scientific question and the characteristics and validation of the line.

An important consideration in interpreting loss-of-function zebrafish models is whether the genetic alteration produces the intended molecular effect. Some genetic manipulations predicted to disrupt gene function can result in residual transcript or protein expression. SFARI therefore supported efforts to identify, generate and validate zebrafish lines in which loss of function was assessed directly through measurement of mRNA or protein levels, where feasible.

The lines below include existing models evaluated through this effort as well as models deposited, generated or validated with SFARI support. These listings are intended to provide researchers with information that may help them evaluate individual models; inclusion does not represent a recommendation of a particular gene, line or experimental approach.

Lines included in this resource have been deposited with the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC). Researchers should consult ZIRC and the linked records for current availability and additional information.

Available zebrafish models

ARID1B

  • Zebrafish gene: arid1b
    ZIRC allele: y607
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)

CHD8

  • Zebrafish gene: chd8
    ZIRC allele: y608
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)

DYNC1H1

  • Zebrafish gene: dync1h1
    ZIRC allele: mw20
    Created by: Brian Link (Medical College of Wisconsin)
    Method: Chemical mutagenesis
    Validation: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

DYRK1A

  • Zebrafish gene: dyrk1aa
    ZIRC allele: y656
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)
  • Zebrafish gene: dyrk1ab
    ZIRC allele: y657
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)

FMR1

  • Zebrafish gene: fmr1
    ZIRC allele: hu2787
    Created by: René F. Ketting (University Medical Center Utrecht)
    Method: N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis
    Validation: Western blot, immunocytochemistry
  • Zebrafish gene: fmr1
    ZIRC allele: hu2898
    Created/described by: René F. Ketting, Ph.D. (University Medical Center Utrecht)
    Method: ENU mutagenesis
    Validation: Western blot, immunocytochemistry

GRIN2B

  • Zebrafish gene: grin2ba
    ZIRC allele: y658
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)
  • Zebrafish gene: grin2bb
    ZIRC allele: y660
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)

MECP2

  • Zebrafish gene: mecp2
    ZIRC allele: fh232
    Created/described by: Cecilia Moens, Ph.D. (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)
    Method: ENU mutagenesis
    Validation: Western blot

MEF2C

  • Zebrafish gene: mef2ca
    ZIRC allele: b1086
    Created/described by: Charles Kimmel (Univerity of Oregon)
    Method: ENU mutagenesis
    Validation: Immunohistochemistry
  • Zebrafish gene: mef2cb
    ZIRC allele: fh288
    Created/described by: Cecelia Moens (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)
    Method: ENU mutagenesis
    Validation: Immunohistochemistry

PTEN

  • Zebrafish gene: ptena
    ZIRC allele: hu1864
    Created by: Jeroen den Hertog, Ph.D. (Leiden University)
    Method: ENU mutagenesis
    Validation: Western blot
  • Zebrafish gene: ptenb
    ZIRC allele: hu1435
    Created by: Jeroen den Hertog, Ph.D. (Leiden University)
    Method: ENU mutagenesis
    Validation: Western blot

SHANK3

  • Zebrafish gene: shank3a
    ZIRC allele: umi101
    Created by: Julia Dallman, Ph.D. (University of Miami)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Western blot
  • Zebrafish gene: shank3b
    ZIRC allele: umi102
    Created by: Julia Dallman, Ph.D. (University of Miami)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Western blot

SCN1A/SCN2A

  • Zebrafish gene: scn1lab
    ZIRC allele: y609
    Created by: Harold Burgess (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
    Method: CRISPR
    Validation: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)

Future zebrafish models

The following lines are expected to be available in 2023:

  • CNTNAP2
  • NRXN1
  • SYNGAP1

For more information about these lines, and general inquiries about SFARI’s experimental models, please contact: [email protected].