title: Bigenic Cre/loxP, puDeltatk conditional genetic ablation.
abstract: Genetic ablation experiments are used to resolve problems regarding cell lineages and the in vivo function of certain groups of cells. We describe a two-component conditional ablation technology using a mouse carrying an X-linked puDeltatk transgene, which is only activated in cells expressing Cre. Ablation of the Cre-expressing cells can be temporally regulated by the time of ganciclovir (GCV) administration. This strategy was demonstrated using a Col2Cre transgenic line. Differentiating chondrocytes in bigenic animals could be ablated at different developmental stages resulting in disorganized growth plates and dwarfism. Macrocephaly, macroglossia and umbilical hernia were also observed in ablated 18.5 dpc embryos. Crosses between the puDeltatk selector transgenic line and existing cre lines will facilitate numerous temporally regulated tissue-specific ablation experiments.
authors.affiliation: Program in Developmental Biology, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: You-Tzung
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Regis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levasseur
authors.forename: Sukeshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaishnav
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karsenty
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000633:toxicity; D041722:Genes, Transgenic, Suicide; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; D000123:Acetyltransferases; C045336:puromycin N-acetyltransferase; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases; D015774:Ganciclovir