Mouse Mex3c encodes RNA-binding proteins of variant length through alternative splicing. Its mutation results in multiple defects including growth retardation, perturbed energy balance, and defective antiviral innate immunity. Here we report that Mex3c mutation affects mammary gland development and lactation of female mice. Pups of Mex3c mutant dams die of starvation soon after birth. Milk contents are present in the alveoli but deficient in the ducts of the mammary glands in mutant mice. Mutant mice do not show prolactin or oxytocin deficiency. They also develop myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands. Mex3c is expressed in the mammary gland epithelium. Our data suggest that functional defects in mammary gland epithelium or myoepithelial cells could cause lactation defects.

中文翻译：

---

Mex3c 突变通过损害雌性小鼠的乳汁排出来影响泌乳。


小鼠 Mex3c 通过选择性剪接编码不同长度的 RNA 结合蛋白。它的突变会导致多种缺陷，包括生长迟缓、能量平衡紊乱和抗病毒先天免疫缺陷。在这里，我们报道 Mex3c 突变影响雌性小鼠的乳腺发育和哺乳。 Mex3c 突变母鼠的幼崽在出生后不久就会死于饥饿。在突变小鼠中，乳汁存在于肺泡中，但乳腺导管中缺乏。突变小鼠没有表现出催乳素或催产素缺乏。它们还在乳腺中发育肌上皮细胞。 Mex3c 在乳腺上皮中表达。我们的数据表明，乳腺上皮或肌上皮细胞的功能缺陷可能导致泌乳缺陷。