Japan Science and Technology Agency

Starting Industrial Co., Ltd.

Takayuki Harada

Taro Kihara

Kohichi Tanaka

The present invention provides a GLAST knockout mouse lacking the function of an endogenous glutamate transporter GLAST gene, which shows: 1) an intraocular pressure within the normal range; and 2) a reduction in the number of cells in the retinal ganglions when compared with a wild-type normal mouse. Owing to the ocular properties, this knockout mouse is useful as a model for normal tension glaucoma. By using this knockout mouse, a compound useful for the treatment of normal tension glaucoma can be screened.

Mouse with deficiency of glutamate transporter GLAST function

A recoil starter featuring a capability of efficiently cooling an engine, easy fabrication and handlings of a power storage spiral spring and an enhanced assemblability is provided. The recoil starter comprises: a starter case unitary with a starter shaft; a one way clutch mechanism comprising a cylinder cam mounted to the starter shaft, a cup-shaped pulley mounted on an engine side, and a ratchet mechanism mounted to the pulley or the cylinder cam and brought into or out of engagement with the cylinder cam or the cup-shaped pulley; a reel pivotally mounted to the starter shafts; a recoil spiral spring anchored to the starter case and the reel at both ends thereof and biased in a direction to wind up the rope; and a power storage spiral spring accommodated in a cassette type spring case and operative to resiliently transmit a reel torque to the cylinder cam when the rope is pulled out, wherein air inlet ports for introducing a cooling air for engine are disposed at an outside surface and outer periphery of the starter case, a side surface of the reel and a side surface of the spring case for the power storage spiral spring.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Takayuki Harada