Crb1-KO Mouse

The Crb1 gene, whose full name is Crumbs homolog 1, is a gene closely related to retinal development and function. The protein encoded by the Crb1 gene plays an important role in maintaining the connection and polarity between retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptor cells. RPE cells are responsible for absorbing and transmitting light signals, while photoreceptor cells are responsible for converting these signals into electrical signals, thus producing vision. Mutations in the Crb1 gene can lead to retinal dysplasia and functional disorders, causing a series of inherited retinal diseases, including Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and cone-rod dystrophy, etc. ^[1]. Retinal diseases caused by Crb1 gene mutations are highly heterogeneous, and different mutations can lead to different clinical manifestations and disease severities. Diseases caused by Crb1 gene mutations are mainly characterized by the damage and death of retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptor cells, resulting in vision loss and blindness. In addition, Crb1 gene mutations may also be associated with other eye diseases such as abnormal eye development and myopia ^[2].

Crb1-KO mice are a gene knockout (KO) model in which exon 3 of the Crb1 gene in mice has been knocked out using gene-editing technology. This model can be used for studying the pathogenic mechanisms of retinal diseases such as Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and cone-rod dystrophy, as well as for the development of relevant treatment methods.