&alpha;-Synuclein is a neuronal protein (coded by Snca) which plays a role in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release. Mutations of Snca have been implicated in a group of neurodegenerative diseases that result from an accumulation of &alpha;-synuclein in neurons or, in some cases, glial cells. These disorders include Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple system atrophy, and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. 
 Line 61 (mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein), also referred to as TNWT61, transgenic mice express full length human wildtype &alpha;-synuclein cDNA driven by the mouse thymus cell antigen 1, theta (Thy1) promoter, resulting in progressive &alpha;-synuclein aggregation and neuroinflammation. Hemizygous Line 61 (mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein) transgenic female mice are viable and fertile; hemizygous male mice are viable but demonstrate more severe deficits in cognition and motor function. The donating laboratory has determined that the Line 61 (mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein) transgene integrated into the X chromosome and suggest maintaining a colony by breeding hemizygous Line 61 (mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein) females with non-carrier (wildtype) males. Homozygous females have not been evaluated to date (September 2023). The donating investigator noted that these Line 61 (mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein) transgenic mice demonstrate motor deficits, as measured by wire-hang test, as early as 1 month of age and become progressively more severe as the mice age compared to age-matched controls. These mice may be used when studying human neuronal &alpha;-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease. Distribution of this strain (Stock No. 038796) was supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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Line 61 (mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein) transgenic mice express wildtype human &alpha;-synuclein cDNA driven by the mouse thymus cell antigen 1, theta (Thy1) promoter. These mice may be useful in studying human neuronal &alpha;-synucleinopathies, such as familial Parkinson's disease. Note that the donating investigator has also made their mutant mThy-1 h&alpha;-synuclein transgenic mouse line SNCA*E57K(16) available as Stock No. <a href="https://www.jax.org/strain/038773">038773</a>.

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