The present invention relates to non-human animal embryonic stem cells in
which a lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase-like lysophospholipase
endogenous gene is inactivated; non-human animals deficient in expression
of LLPL gene; methods of screening for prophylactics and/or therapeutic
drug using the cells or the animals; and prophylactics and/or therapeutic
drug obtainable by the screening.The non-human animal ES cells of the
invention in which their LLPL gene is inactivated are very useful in
creating non-human animals deficient in expression of LLPL gene. The LLPL
expression deficient non-human animals of the invention can be disease
models for such diseases caused by insufficiency of the biological
activities of LLPL since the animals lack various biological activities
inducible by LLPL. Therefore, the animals of the invention are useful in
screening for prophylactics and/or therapeutic drug for various diseases
resulting from LLPL deficiency, as well as in elucidating the causes of
LLPL-related diseases and examining therapeutic methods for such
diseases. The screening methods of the invention are capable of
efficiently screening for prophylactics and/or therapeutic drug for
various diseases resulting from LLPL deficiency.