Disruption of the Akt2 gene

A genetically-modified animal cell, wherein said cell is homozygous for a modification comprising a disrupted Akt2 gene.

A method of identifying a therapeutic agent for diabetes, said method comprising administering an agent to a genetically-modified mouse homozygous for a disrupted Akt2 gene and assessing a diabetic phenotype in said mammal, wherein said agent is identified as a treatment for diabetes if said mammal demonstrates an improvement in said diabetic phenotype.

A method of identifying a gene that demonstrates modified expression as a result of reduced Akt2 activity in an animal cell, said method comprising assessing the expression profile of at least one gene other than Akt2 of an animal cell homozygous for a genetic modification that disrupts an Akt2 gene, and comparing said profile to that from a wild type cell.

A method of identifying a protein that demonstrates a modified level or post-translational processing as a result of reduced Akt2 activity in an animal cell comprising comparing the level or post-translational characteristics of the protein in an animal cell homozygous for a genetic modification that disrupts the Akt2 gene to the level or post-translational characteristics of the protein in an appropriate wild-type control.

A method of identifying a biological characteristic associated with reduction or elimination of Akt2 activity comprising comparing a biological characteristic of a genetically-modified mouse homozygous for a genetic modification that disrupts the Akt2 gene, or a genetically-modified animal cell homozygous for a genetic modification that disrupts the Akt2 gene, to the characteristic of the appropriate wild-type control.

A method of treating a patient for diabetes or growth restriction, said method comprising administering an agent that increases Akt2 activity in an amount sufficient to improve the diabetic or restricted growth condition.