mortality/aging
• mice die within 2 hours of birth exhibiting respiratory distress and cyanosis
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homeostasis/metabolism
respiratory system
• mutants exhibit defective respiratory rhythmogenesis as indicated by a reduced frequency of inspiratory bursts in E18.5 brainstems
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• mice do not initiate normal breathing
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• mutants do not initiate normal breathing behavior and ventilate essentially by intermittent deep gasping movements
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• defective rhythmogenesis due to defects in the central respiratory control
• the lungs, trachea, and intercostal musculature appear normal
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nervous system
N |
• no defects observed with the innervation of the diaphragm
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• overall organization of the preBotzinger complex, a putative principle sit of respiratory rhythmogenesis, is disrupted with a loss of about 1/3 of NK1R-positive cells
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• brainstems are unresponsive to electrolytic lesion or stimulation of the preBotzinger complex
• brainstems are unresponsive to modulation of respiratory rhythmogenesis by hypoxia or peptidergic input
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