Targeted disruption of the mouse Gz-alpha gene: a role for Gz in platelet function?

Gz is one of nine G proteins identified in platelets and its role in these cells is unknown. Our laboratory has generated a mouse deficient in the Gz-alpha gene in the hope of determining its in vivo function. Bleeding times from the tail tip of Gzalpha deficient mice was significantly longer than wild type mice. Platelet aggregation and ATP secretion did not differ between wild type and Gzalpha deficient mice. When mice were presented with a thromboembolism challenge no differences were observed in the survival or mortality of wild type or Gzalpha deficient mice, however a strain difference was observed. Ignoring the genetic background of a mutant mouse might lead to a misinterpretation of results and thus it is absolutely critical to take the genetic background into account when assessing any aspect of a mutant mouse.