EXCLUSION OF THE BETA-SUBUNIT OF TYPE-II CALMODULIN KINASE FOR THE WOBBLER SPINAL MUSCULAR-ATROPHY

The wobbler mouse (wr) is an attractive model for studying motor neuro n disease but the genetic defect is unknown. The beta-subunit of calmo dulin kinase II (beta-CaMK II) is a good candidate for the wr mutation because of its chromosomal localization and tissue distribution. In t his report, we found normal levels of CaM KII mRNA and enzyme activity making it highly unlikely that a mutation in the beta-CaM KII gene is the cause of the wr phenotype.