A mutant mouse has germ cells and somatic cells containing a mutation comprising a disruption of the endogenous alpha 4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) gene, wherein the disrupted alpha 4 subunit of the nAChR gene results in the mouse lacking detectable levels of the endogenous alpha 4 subunit of nAChR without a change in level of expression of other nAChR subunits as compared to a wild type mouse. The mutant mouse is useful for studying the roles of the various subunits of the nAChR. The results are useful in stuying the antinociceptive, hypothermia, and locomotor effects of nicotine in other mammals.
MUTANT MOUSE CONTAINING A KNOCKOUT MUTATION IN DNA ENCODING AN ENDOGENOUS alpha 4 SUBUNIT OF NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR