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A/J

What Does This Nomenclature Mean?
Strain #:000646
RRID:IMSR_JAX:000646Info
Common Name: AJ | Also Known As: A
A/J inbred mice are widely used to model cancer and for carcinogen testing given their high susceptibility to carcinogen-induced tumors. Other uses include hybridoma production for immunology applications, cardiovascular research, developmental biology (low background incidence of cleft palate; high susceptibility to cortisone-induced cleft palate) and sensorineural given their early hearing loss.

Our preclinical efficacy testing services offer scientific expertise and an array of target-based and phenotype-based outcome measures, both in vivo and at endpoint, for flexible study designs and assay development in mouse models of muscular dystrophy. See our full service platform.
Important Note: This strain is homozygous for Cdh23ahl, the age related hearing loss 1 mutation, and ahl4, which on this background result in progressive hearing loss with onset between three and five months of age.
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Strain Highlights
Strain Type
Inbred Strain
Originating Article
Originating Article
Info When using the AJ mouse strain in a publication, please include JAX stock #000646 in your Materials and Methods section.

Detailed Description
Developed by LC Strong in 1921 from a cross between a Cold Spring Harbor albino and a Bagg albino, the A/J inbred strain is widely used in cancer and immunology research. It is highly susceptible to cortisone-induced congenital cleft palate. It has a high incidence of spontaneous lung adenomas, and lung tumors readily develop in response to carcinogens. A high percentage of mammary adenocarcinomas (a large proportion of acinar-type) develop in multiparous females. Rare spontaneous myoepitheliomas arising from myoepithelial cells of various exocrine glands have been observed in The Jackson Laboratory substrains. A/J are much less responsive to LPR than are C57BL/6J, generating less IL10 and having lower mortality. Fulton et al. (2006) mapped this trait to an interval containing Msr1 and found lower MSR1 expression on A/J peritoneal macrophages. Compared with MRS1 from C57BL/6J, A/J MRS1 has a faster electrophoretic mobility and polymorphisms that impact N-linked glycosylation.

A/J mice fed an atherogenic diet (1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, and 15% fat) fail to develop atherosclerotic aortic lesions in contrast to several highly susceptible strains of mice (e.g. C57BL/6J, Stock No. 000664; C57L/J, Stock No. 000668, C57BR/cdJ, Stock No. 000667, and SM/J, Stock No. 000687). In addition to atherosclerosis resistance, A/J mice are resistant to diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. On either chow or high fat diet, A/J mice maintain low glucose and insulin levels.

A/J mice develop cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in approximately half the time when compared with C57BL/6J mice. Structural lung damage caused by induced asthma mimics the phenotype found in asthma patients more closely than does the induced damage in BALB/c mice.

A strain characteristic of A/J is a late onset (four to five months) progressive muscular dystrophy as a result of a homozygous retrotransposon insertion in the dysferlin (Dysf) gene. Myofibers in Dysfprmd homozygotes undergo degeneration and regeneration, and their nuclei are placed centrally. Proximal muscles are more severely affected than distal muscles (Ho M, et al. 2004).

Sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of A/J reveals 10 adenines in a polymorphic adenine repeat sequence in the mt-Tr sequence. This repeat contains nine adenines in NOD/ShiLtJ, A/HeJ, A/WySnJ, and SKH2/J and 10 adenines in A/J, and NZB/B1NJ, and likely enhances the hearing loss associated with the Cdh23ahl allele (Johnson et al. 2001).

A/J mice are challenging breeders, exhibiting reduced productivity and high incidence of non-productive matings. They may require some special maintenance. A/J mice tend to be very docile and easy to work with. A 2022 study found vaginal septa in <2% of females.

Development
In 1921 LC Strong crossed a Bagg albino with a Cold Spring Harbor albino stock, maintained by Little, to begin the A/St strain. In 1928 breeders were sent to Arthur Cloudman and subsequent to the 1947 Bar Harbor fire survivors at generation F73 founded The Jackson Laboratory A/J strain. This strain reached generation F217 in 1990, and F270 in 2006.

Genetics
Genetic Background
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Generation
Generation Definitions >
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(Last Updated: August 20th 2021)
Allele Symbol Csahl4 ExternalLink
Allele Name
age related hearing loss 4
Gene Symbol
Cs
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
citrate synthase
Gene Synonym(s)
2610511A05Rik,9030605P22Rik,ahl4, ... 2610511A05Rik, 9030605P22Rik, ahl4, Cis,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/J
Chromosome
10
More
Allele Symbol Micrln ExternalLink
Allele Name
non-responder
Gene Symbol
Micrl
Allele Type
QTL
Gene Name
microwave induced increase in ... microwave induced increase in complement receptor B cells
Gene Synonym(s)
---
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
5
More
Allele Symbol Il3ram1 ExternalLink
Allele Name
mutation 1
Gene Symbol
Il3ra
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
interleukin 3 receptor, alpha ... interleukin 3 receptor, alpha chain
Gene Synonym(s)
CD123,Cyrl,hIL-3Ra, ... CD123, Cyrl, hIL-3Ra, IL-3 receptor alpha chain, IL3R, IL-3R-alpha, IL3RAY, IL3RX, IL3RY, SUT-1,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
14
More
Allele Symbol Nrg3ska ExternalLink
Allele Name
scaramanga
Gene Symbol
Nrg3
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
neuregulin 3
Gene Synonym(s)
HRG3,pro-NRG3,ska,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/J
Chromosome
14
More
Allele Symbol Rmcfs ExternalLink
Allele Name
MCF sensitive
Gene Symbol
Rmcf
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
resistance to MCF virus
Gene Synonym(s)
---
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
5
More
Allele Symbol Hc0 ExternalLink
Allele Name
deficient
Gene Symbol
Hc
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
hemolytic complement
Gene Synonym(s)
C5,C5a,C5b, ... C5, C5a, C5b, C5D, CPAMD4, ECLZB, He, Hfib2,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
2
More
Allele Symbol Wnt9bclf1 ExternalLink
Allele Name
cleft lip 1
Gene Symbol
Wnt9b
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
wingless-type MMTV integration... wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 9B
Gene Synonym(s)
clf,clf1,WNT14B, ... clf, clf1, WNT14B, WNT15,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/WySn
Chromosome
11
More
Allele Symbol Cdh23ahl ExternalLink
Allele Name
age related hearing loss 1
Gene Symbol
Cdh23
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
cadherin 23 (otocadherin)
Gene Synonym(s)
4930542A03Rik,ahl,bob, ... 4930542A03Rik, ahl, bob, CDHR23, mdfw, nmf112, nmf181, nmf252, PITA5, sals, USH1D,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
10
More
Allele Symbol Ahrb-2 ExternalLink
Allele Name
b-2 variant
Gene Symbol
Ahr
Allele Type
Not Applicable
Gene Name
aryl-hydrocarbon receptor
Gene Synonym(s)
Ah,Ahh,Ahre, ... Ah, Ahh, Ahre, bHLHe76, dioxin receptor, FVH3, In, RP85,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
BALB/cBy
Chromosome
12
More
Allele Symbol mt-Trm1 ExternalLink
Allele Name
mutation 1
Gene Symbol
mt-Tr
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
mitochondrially encoded tRNA a... mitochondrially encoded tRNA arginine
Gene Synonym(s)
MTTR,tRNA,tRNA-Arg, ... MTTR, tRNA, tRNA-Arg, TrnR tRNA,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
various
Chromosome
MT
More
Allele Symbol Naip5Lgn1-s ExternalLink
Allele Name
Legionella, susceptiblility 1
Gene Symbol
Naip5
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
NLR family, apoptosis inhibito... NLR family, apoptosis inhibitory protein 5
Gene Synonym(s)
BIRC1,Birc1a,Birc1b, ... BIRC1, Birc1a, Birc1b, Birc1e, Lgn1, Naip, Naip2, Naip-rs3, NLRB1, psiNAIP,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/J
Chromosome
13
More
Allele Symbol Dysfprmd ExternalLink
Allele Name
progressive muscular dystrophy progressive muscular dystrophy
Gene Symbol
Dysf
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
dysferlin
Gene Synonym(s)
2310004N10Rik,FER1L1,LGMD2B, ... 2310004N10Rik, FER1L1, LGMD2B, LGMDR2, MMD1,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/J
Chromosome
6
More
Allele Symbol Bhr5A/J ExternalLink
Allele Name
A/J
Gene Symbol
Bhr5
Allele Type
QTL
Gene Name
bronchial hyperresponsiveness ... bronchial hyperresponsiveness 5
Gene Synonym(s)
---
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/J
Chromosome
6
More
Allele Symbol Bhr1A/J ExternalLink
Allele Name
A/J
Gene Symbol
Bhr1
Allele Type
QTL
Gene Name
bronchial hyperresponsiveness ... bronchial hyperresponsiveness 1
Gene Synonym(s)
---
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
A/J
Chromosome
2
More
Allele Symbol Mx1s1 ExternalLink
Allele Name
myxovirus susceptibility 1
Gene Symbol
Mx1
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
MX dynamin-like GTPase 1
Gene Synonym(s)
IFI78,IFI-78K,lncMX1-215, ... IFI78, IFI-78K, lncMX1-215, MX, Mx-1, MxA, MXB, myxovirus (influenza) resistance 1 polypeptide,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
16
More
Allele Symbol Cox7a2ll ExternalLink
Allele Name
long
Gene Symbol
Cox7a2l
Allele Type
Not Applicable
Gene Name
cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7... cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A2 like
Gene Synonym(s)
COX7AR,COX7RP,EB1, ... COX7AR, COX7RP, EB1, SCAF1, SCAFI, SIG81, SIG-81,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
17
More
Allele Symbol B2ma ExternalLink
Allele Name
a variant
Gene Symbol
B2m
Allele Type
Spontaneous
Gene Name
beta-2 microglobulin
Gene Synonym(s)
AMYLD6,beta 2 microglobulin,beta2-m, ... AMYLD6, beta 2 microglobulin, beta2-m, IMD43, Ly-m11, MHC1D4,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
multiple strains
Chromosome
2
More
Allele Symbol Ltbp4dmod1-s ExternalLink
Allele Name
Duchenne modifier 1 susceptibl... Duchenne modifier 1 susceptible
Gene Symbol
Ltbp4
Allele Type
QTL
Gene Name
latent transforming growth fac... latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4
Gene Synonym(s)
2310046A13Rik,ARCL1C,LTBP-4, ... 2310046A13Rik, ARCL1C, LTBP-4, LTBP4L, LTBP4S,
Site of Expression
---
Expressed Gene(s)
---
Strain of Origin
various
Chromosome
7
More

How it's Used

Disease Terms


Phenotype
Phenotypic Considerations & Best Practices Info
behavior/neurological phenotype
endocrine/exocrine gland phenotype
hearing/vestibular/ear phenotype
hematopoietic system phenotype
immune system phenotype
integument phenotype
muscle phenotype


References
2017
Complete overview of protein-inactivating sequence variations in 36 sequenced mouse inbred strains.
Timmermans S , et al.
PubMed:28784771
MGI:J:244295
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114(34):9158-9163

2006
A quantitative trait loci analysis to map genes involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response: identification of macrophage scavenger receptor 1 as a candidate gene.
Fulton WB , et al.
PubMed:16517746
MGI:J:129535
J Immunol 176(6):3767-73

2004
Development of a SNP genotyping panel for genetic monitoring of the laboratory mouse.
Petkov PM , et al.
PubMed:15081119
MGI:J:89298
Genomics 83(5):902-11

2003
Quantitative trait locus analysis of serum insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipid levels in the (SM/J x A/J)F2 mice.
Anunciado RV , et al.
PubMed:12638235
MGI:J:82274
Exp Anim 52(1):37-42

2001
Comparison of arterial blood pressure in different strains of mice.
Mattson DL , et al.
PubMed:11368457
MGI:J:109876
Am J Hypertens 14(5 Pt 1):405-8

1990
Atherosclerosis susceptibility differences among progenitors of recombinant inbred strains of mice.
Paigen B , et al.
PubMed:2317166
MGI:J:22615
Arteriosclerosis 10(2):316-23

When using the AJ mouse strain in a publication, please include JAX stock #000646 in your Materials and Methods section.

Husbandry

Genotyping Protocols

Animal Health Reports

Breeding Considerations
Additional Breeding and Husbandry Support >
A/J mice are challenging breeders, exhibiting reduced productivity and high incidence of non-productive matings. They may require some special maintenance. A/J mice tend to be very docile and easy to work with.

Breeding Strategy
Sibling x Sibling

Appearance
Details

albino
Related Genotype: a/a Tyrp1b/Tyrp1b Tyrc/Tyrc
mouse image
Mouse images are representative only. Actual phenotypes may vary based on genotype, sex, age, husbandry, health status, and other factors. Contact micetech@jax.org with any questions about unexpected or abnormal appearance.