Figure 2. Phenotype of adult Usp22^lacZ mice.

a. A representative image of Usp22^lacZ animals at an age of 4 months shows growth retardation of Usp22^lacZ/lacZ mice. b. The body weight of male Usp22^lacZ/lacZ mice is reduced on average by 40% compared to their littermates. Mice have been weighed at an age of 4 months (wt/wt: n = 5; wt/lacZ: n = 9, p = 0.525; lacZ/lacZ: n = 6, p = < 0.0001). c. Relative mRNA expression of Usp22 in the small intestine (wt/wt: n = 4; wt/lacZ: n = 5, p = 0.007; lacZ/lacZ: n = 4, p = 8.10⁻⁴). d. Reduction of Usp22 protein levels in brain and small intestine of Usp22^lacZ/lacZ mice.