About This Site

MUTAGENETIX is a database of phenotypes and mutations produced through random germline mutagenesis with ENU. The site is updated regularly to register discoveries that may be of value to the scientific community at large, and to provide ready access to mutant stocks. At present, the site incorporates mutations produced in the Beutler Lab (Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, UT Southwestern Medical Center) and the Goodnow Lab (The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University).

G1 and G3 mutant mice are actively screened for immunological phenotypes. However, many non-immunological phenotypes are incidentally identified, and some of them address major biological questions. Phenotype-causing mutations are discovered more rapidly than they can be investigated in depth, and in many cases, more rapidly than they can be published in conventional journals. We therefore record all mutations, describing their essential phenotypic characteristics and giving information as to their availability.

In addition to standard phenotypic screening and mapping techniques, the Beutler Lab is currently performing whole genome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeqTM platform in order to identify mutations in ENU-mutagenized mice. This process greatly facilitates the rapid identification of phenotype-causing mutations and in addition, allows the identification of additional mutations in mutagenized mice, termed incidental mutations. We estimate that each ENU-mutagenized G1 mouse carries approximately 40 mutations that alter coding sense or transcript splicing. Whole genome sequencing of mutagenized mice can also be used as a rapid approach to establish an allelic series encompassing all loci.

MUTAGENETIX provides links to major repositories including MMRRC (Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Centers), JAX (The Jackson Laboratory) and APN (Australian Phenome Network) from which stocks can be obtained, and to literature sources describing the mutations themselves or other phenotypically significant alleles. Included on the site are useful search functions and automatically updated statistics on the mutation types, DNA changes and amino acid changes present in the database. We seek to add value where possible, drawing attention to sets of genes that serve related biological functions, and offering insight into the mechanisms by which phenotypes arise. Each MUTAGENETIX record is researched and written by the indicated Science Writer(s), who discusses each strain with the PI as well as students and/or postdocs, listed as Authors, who made the initial phenotypic discovery and performed all experimental characterization. Detailed illustrations are also provided.

MUTAGENETIX is designed to serve as a general template for any database of ENU mutations. Any institution or investigator wishing to include their data in the MUTAGENETIX database is invited contact Dr. Bruce Beutler; email: Bruce.Beutler@UTSouthwestern.edu.

Mapping data and sequence information notes (April 2013)
All information on chromosomal locations and critical region intervals are currently based on Ensembl Mouse annotation (release 71). Specific sequence information (gene sequences, positions of mutations, etc.) is based on the GRCm38 (mm10) mouse assembly. Individual strain records contain links to specific cDNA sequences and/or genomic DNA sequences in the NCBI database.

The material on this site is available for public, noncommercial use along with the appropriate citation. To cite MUTAGENETIX in a journal article or on-line publication, please use the following conventions: {Authors, Science Writers, Beutler B}. Record for {allele name}, updated {date of last update}. MUTAGENETIX (TM), B. Beutler and colleagues, Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX. Accessed {date of download}. World Wide Web URL: https://mutagenetix.utsouthwestern.edu. To cite illustrations, please use the following: Illustration by {Illustrator}. MUTAGENETIX (TM), B. Beutler and colleagues, Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX.

Also cite: Wang, T., et al., Real-time resolution of point mutations that cause phenovariance in mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.U.S.A.112(5), E440-9 (2015).