title: Ubiquitous expression of mRFP1 in transgenic mice.
abstract: Fluorescent proteins provide a powerful means to track gene expression and cellular behaviors in the study of model organisms such as mice. Among the new generation of fluorescent protein markers, the monomeric red fluorescent protein mRFP1 is particularly attractive because of its rapid maturation and minimal interference with GFP and GFP-derived markers. Here we evaluate the utility of mRFP1 as a marker in transgenic mice. We show that high level and ubiquitous expression of mRFP1 does not affect mouse development, general physiology, or reproduction. mRFP1 expression can be readily detected with unaided eyes under daylight in transgenic mice on the albino background. The intensity of mRFP1 signals can be used to distinguish homozygous and heterozygous transgenic mice. Together, these features make mRFP1 an attractive marker for broad applications in transgenic research.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Huaxing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Guangxue
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005838:Genotype; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein