Biological context of Acvr2b

Mouse ACVR2B gene generates four transcriptional isoforms (Acvr2b(1-4)) via alternative splicing of two sequence domains located at the juxtaposition of the transmembrane domain. To investigate whether these splicing domains are essential for signal transduction of the Acvr2b receptor in vivo, we have generated a strain of mutant mice (Acvr2b(4/4)) which produce only the Acvr2b(4) isoform, which lacks both splicing domains. In the absence of its subfamily receptor Acvr2a, however, the development of Acvr2b(4/4) mice was arrested at the gastrulation stage, recapitulating the Acvr2a(-/-); Acvr2b(+/-) mutant phenotype.