CNS-specific homozygous <i>Scap</i> deficient (N-<i>Scap</i> [−/−]) mice exhibit microcephaly and gliosis.

<p>(A) <i>Scap</i> mRNA expression levels in the brains of P0 mice by qPCR, average expression values in Control assigned a value of 1. Bars denote mean ± SEM. (B) Western blots of cytoplasmic extracts from brains of control, N-<i>Scap</i> (+/−), and N-<i>Scap</i> (−/−) mice. (C) Appearance of control and N-<i>Scap</i> (−/−) neonates. Dashed lines indicate difference in curvature of the skulls. Aerated lungs were visible in the control pups (arrow), whereas N-<i>Scap</i> (−/−) pups did not start breathing and died soon after birth. (D) Appearances of the brains at E18.5. (E) Comparison of gene expression for the cholesterol synthesis (SREBP-2 pathway) and fatty acid synthesis (SREBP-1 pathway) in brains of Control and N-<i>Scap</i> (−/−) neonates. (F) Total brain cholesterol content normalized to tissue weight. (G) Total brain triglyceride content normalized to tissue weight in P0 and P65 mice. (H) Western blots of cytoplasmic extracts from brains of Control, N-<i>Scap</i> (+/−), and N-<i>Scap</i> (−/−) neonates for GFAP protein. (I) Immunohistochemistry for GFAP in P0 brains. Scale bar = 25 µm. *, <i>p</i><0.05; **, <i>p</i><0.01; ***, <i>p</i><0.001 by <i>t</i>-test.