Generation and characterization of transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible cre-fusion protein specifically in mouse liver.
OBJECTIVE
To establish transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ERt recombinase specifically in the liver and to provide an efficient animal model for studying gene function in the liver and creating various mouse models mimicking human diseases.


METHODS
Alb-Cre-ERt transgenic mice were produced by microinjecting the construct with Cre-ERt fusion gene of DNA fragments into fertilized eggs derived from inbred C57BL/6 strain. Transgenic mice were identified by using PCR and Southern blotting. Expression of Cre-ERt fusion gene was analyzed in the liver, kidney, brain and lung from F1 generation transgenic mice at 8 weeks of age by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.


RESULTS
Four hundred and fourteen fertilized eggs of C57 BL/6 mice were microinjected with recombinant Alb-Cre-ERt DNA fragments, and 312 survival eggs injected were transferred to the oviducts of 12 pseudopregnant recipient mice, 6 of 12 recipient mice became pregnant and gave birth to 44 offsprings. Of the 44 offsprings, two males and one female carried the hybrid Cre-ERt fusion gene. Three mice were determined as founders, and were back crossed to set up F1 generations with other inbred C57BL/6 mice. Transmission of Cre-ERt fusion gene in F1 offspring followed Mendelian rules. The expression of Cre-ERt mRNA was detected only in the liver of F1 offspring from two of three founder mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ERt recombinase under control of the liver-specific promoter are preliminary established.
Zhu
Huan-Zhang
HZ
Institute of Pathology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Chen
Jian-Quan
JQ
Cheng
Guo-Xiang
GX
Xue
Jing-Lun
JL
D000818:Animals; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D013629:Tamoxifen; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases