Angelman Syndrome Mouse Model – Ube3a Mouse Model
Investigate the effects of pharmacological treatments using the most established, translationally relevant Ube3a mouse model of Angelman Syndrome, combined with a standardized test battery
Ube3a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome
UBE3A mouse models represent translationally relevant preclinical research models for evaluating novel therapeutics for Angelman Syndrome – a rare, neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the absence of functional maternally-derived UBE3A protein.
At InnoSer, we offer the Ube3amE113X/p+ (MGI:5911277) variant of this model originally identified and well-characterized by the laboratory of Dr. Ype Elgersma. Developed to closely mimic Angelman Syndrome on the genetic level, this model carries a mutation in the maternal allele of the Ube3a gene, specifically an E113X nonsense mutation in exon 5 (m-), which introduces an early stop codon in the Ube3a gene, preventing the production of functional UBE3A protein. Normally, both in humans and in mice, the Ube3a gene is expressed solely from the maternal allele in mature neurons. Therefore, although the paternal allele (p+) remains intact, the gene expression of paternal Ube3a in this mouse model is silenced due to genomic imprinting. As a result, these mice do not produce functional UBE3A protein in the brain, leading to many of the same neurological and behavioral impairments observed in Angelman Syndrome patients, namely epilepsy, motor deficits, abnormal EEG, as well as abnormal sleep patterns, increased anxiety, and repetitive behavior (Sonzgoni et al., 2018).
The Ube3a mouse model offers a clinically relevant platform for evaluating multiple potential therapeutic strategies for Angelman Syndrome, including gene therapy, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and small molecules.
✓ The Ube3a (Ube3a t-m2Yelg, MGI:5911277) mouse model is exclusively available through InnoSer in collaboration with Dr. Ype Elgersma, a leading expert in Angelman Syndrome research
✓ InnoSer offers a robust and standardized behavioral test battery in the Ube3a mouse model, validated by the Elgersma lab, demonstrating consistent model phenotypes on different genetic backgrounds, across key tests including the rotarod, susceptibility to audiogenic seizures (AGS) assessment, marble burying, nest building, and open field test (Sonzogni et al., 2018)
✓ InnoSer offers comprehensive preclinical support, including biodistribution studies, PK/PD profiling, early-stage toxicology, and tolerability studies that can be performed before commencing therapeutic efficacy studies

As a trusted preclinical CRO specializing in rare neurological disorders, among others, InnoSer provides end-to-end support for drug discovery and development. Take advantage of InnoSer’s expertise, flexibility, and collaborative approach for your research. We support you in identifying new drug candidates, characterizing their pharmacological properties, and conducting rigorous safety and efficacy studies with state-of-the-art behavioral, bioanalytical, and histopathological readouts.
Example data featuring the Ube3a mouse model:

Angelman syndrome UBe3a mice display motor coordination dysfunction as assessed by Rotarod.
Rotarod testing provides a highly translational and reproducible behavioral readout, reflecting bona fide motor deficits that are characteristic of the AS phenotype. (A) The left panel presents pooled raw data from multiple independent experiments, highlighting a consistent reduction in motor performance compared to wild-type controls. (B) The right panel displays Forest plots of normalized data for individual experiments, where performance in each cohort is normalized to wild-type (represented by the dashed line) with 95% confidence intervals shown. These results underscore the robustness and reliability of Rotarod performance as a key outcome measure in preclinical studies using Ube3a mouse models.
Figure obtained and re-formatted with permission from the original publication validating the behavioral phenotypes of Ube3a mutant mice (Sonzogni et al., 2018).

Angelman syndrome UBe3a mice display sensitivity to audiogenic seizures.
Assessments of audiogenic seizure susceptibility confirm and extend previous findings, establishing this phenotype as a powerful tool to investigate seizure vulnerability and potential therapeutic interventions in Ube3a mouse models. (A) The left panel presents audiogenic seizure susceptibility data for wild-type (WT) and Ube3a mice (n = 45, 114) on the 129S2/SvPasCrl background. (B) The right panel shows the effect of increasing doses of levetiracetam on seizure susceptibility in Ube3a mice, assessed by Fisher’s exact test. Together, these findings validate the audiogenic seizure paradigm as a sensitive and reproducible outcome measure in preclinical studies of Angelman syndrome.
Figure obtained and re-formatted with permission from the original publication describing the validity and robustness of behavioral readouts for Ube3a mice based on a meta-analysis of 111 Ube3am−/p+ and 120 WT littermates on an F1 hybrid 129S2-C57BL/6J background (Sonzogni et al., 2018). See also FAQ below for more explanation on the background type used.
Key readouts in the Ube3a mouse model:
Additional analyses
Biomarker analyses and/or post-mortem analyses:
- Susceptibility test to audiogenically-induced seizures
- Relevant organ (spinal cord) and brain tissue (striatum, hippocampus) collection and biochemical analyses
- EEG
- Histopathology analyses (e.g., UBE3A levels in brain regions)
The People Behind Your Research

Sofie Carmans, PhD
Principal Scientist Neurology

Thomas Vogels, PhD
Principal Scientist Neurology

Prof. Dr. Ype Elgersma
Angelmann Advisor
Prof. Dr. Ype Elgersma
Prof. Dr. Ype Elgersma is a Professor of Molecular Neuroscience, Chair of Research and Education, Dept. of Clinical Genetics and Scientific Director ENCORE Expertise Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. InnoSer offers the Ube3a mouse model in collaboration with Prof. Elgersma. Prof. Elgersma is a key advisor to InnoSer, guiding studies on the Angelman Syndrome mouse model. His research, including the widely cited behavioral test battery for drug testing, has been replicated in multiple studies and AS lines, advancing therapeutic development for this neurodevelopmental disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genetic background is the Ube3a mouse model on, and why does it matter?
Can the Ube3a mouse model be used in studies targeting paternal allele reactivation?
Yes. This model is well-suited for a range of therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring UBE3A function. For example, it can be used to evaluate gene replacement strategies, such as reintroducing a functional UBE3A gene via AAV vectors to compensate for the nonfunctional maternal allele. Likewise, because the paternal allele remains genetically intact but epigenetically silenced, the model is equally appropriate for testing paternal allele reactivation therapies — including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small molecules, or epigenetic modulators. To explore how this model fits your therapeutic strategy, reach out to our expert team for tailored guidance.
What models does InnoSer offer for studying Angelman Syndrome, and can alternative models be used?
InnoSer offers the Ube3a mE113X/p+ (MGI:5911277) mouse model, which closely mimics the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of Angelman Syndrome. This model is combined with a standardized, validated behavioral test battery for evaluating therapeutic interventions. While we specialize in this model, we are open to discussing alternative models upon specific request to meet your research needs.
What dosing schedules are possible in the Ube3a mouse model?
In the Ube3a mouse model, various dosing schedules can be employed to test both therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for treating Angelman Syndrome. For therapeutic intervention, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) at postnatal day 1 (P1) or P21 has been shown to result in significant restoration of UBE3A protein levels in the brain, with a full rescue of audiogenic seizure sensitivity (Milazzo et al., 2021). For prophylactic strategies, early intervention or continuous dosing during the neonatal period may help prevent the onset of symptoms. These flexible dosing options allow you to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments both during and after disease onset, providing a robust platform for testing a wide range of therapeutic approaches. To discuss optimal study designs or explore how the Ube3a mouse model can support your therapeutic or prophylactic strategy, connect with our scientific team today.
Discover Other Relevant Rare Genetic Disease Models
Discover InnoSer’s Latest Research
AAALAC Accreditation
InnoSer has earned the AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC International is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. Our accreditation is valid for three years, incl. 2023. Read more about the AAALAC accreditation programme here.
Animal Welfare
The 3Rs impact everything from policy and regulatory change to the development and uptake of new technologies and approaches. This is why InnoSer has ongoing commitment and monitoring of these processes. The steps we practice maximize our ability to replace, reduce and refine animal involvement and facilitate our commitment to these principles when it comes to research and drug development.
info@innoserlaboratories.com