A phenotype for the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor null mutant.

The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is heavily expressed in the mammalian brain. On a molecular level, the alpha7 nAChR may have a diversity of functions, but it is not known if these molecular events translate into phenotypes. The null mutant mouse is viable and generally normal. Here, we report a phenotype for the alpha7 nAChR null mutant mouse. The alpha7 nAChR is obligatory for the synchronization of an important biological rhythm, the female estrous cycle. The female null mutant mouse has asynchronous estrous cycles and a reduced number of surviving pups. Female null mutants also demonstrate a reliable diversity in phenotype, suggesting an interaction between environment and gene expression. Real-time RT-PCR measurements of the alpha7 mRNA expression in reproductive tissues of wild-type mice suggest that the ovulatory dysfunction in null mutants is probably central in origin.