Aifm3-flox Mouse

Aifm3, also known as apoptosis-inducing factor, mitochondrion-associated 3, is a protein-coding gene. It has been implicated in multiple biological functions. In kidney development, it is considered important for promoting cell survival, energy production in nephrogenesis, and tubular maturation [2]. In the context of neural development, it is involved in the metabolic reprogramming regulated by GSDMD, which links pyroptosis to metabolic changes during cortical development [3].

In mice, two subsets of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum are segregated based on the expression of Aifm3 among other marker genes. These subpopulations have unique electrophysiological signatures, make differential connections in the hippocampus, and play different roles in anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory [1].

In cancer research, Aifm3 is over-expressed in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and its serum levels can serve as a prognostic biomarker. Silencing Aifm3 in CCA cells significantly decreases cell migration and invasion, suggesting its role in CCA metastasis [4]. It is also over-expressed in breast cancer, associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and shorter survival [5]. In medullary thyroid carcinoma, recurrent copy number gains of Aifm3 are found, and its expression is confirmed in tumor cases but not in normal thyroid tissues [6].

In conclusion, Aifm3 plays crucial roles in normal development processes such as kidney and neural development. In disease, especially in multiple types of cancers, Aifm3 shows abnormal expression patterns and is involved in tumor-related processes like metastasis and prognosis. The study of Aifm3 using mouse models and other experimental systems has provided valuable insights into its functions in both normal and disease-associated biological processes.