Gene Targeting of Desrt, a Novel ARID Class DNA-Binding Protein, Causes Growth Retardation and Abnormal Development of Reproductive Organs

Growth retardation of Desrt ^−/− mice. (A) Weight (mean ± SEM) of neonatal Desrt ^+/+(n = 19), Desrt ^+/− (n = 38), and Desrt ^−/− (n = 7) mice (***p <0.001). (B) A 26-d-oldDesrt ^−/− mouse and its sex-matched control littermate showing the reduced size, the sparse, ungroomed coat, and the emaciated appearance of the Desrt ^−/−. (C) Growth rate of Desrt ^+/+(n = 16), Desrt ^+/− (n = 24), and Desrt^−/− (n = 8) mice, measured over 8–21 d (*** p <0.001). (D) Weight ofDesrt ^+/+, Desrt^+/− , andDesrt ^−/− mice from day 1 to week 6.5 (n = 7–38).