Expression of Cre recombinase in dopaminoceptive neurons.
BACKGROUND
Dopamine-activated signaling regulates locomotor and emotional responses and alterations in dopamine-signaling are responsible of several psychomotor disorders. In order to identify specific functions of these pathways, the Cre/loxP system has been used. Here, we describe the generation and the characterization of a transgenic mouse line expressing the Cre recombinase in dopaminoceptive neurons. To this purpose, we used as expression vector a 140 kb yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing the dopamine D1 receptor gene (Drd1a).


RESULTS
In the chosen line, D1Cre, the spatio-temporal pattern of Cre expression closely recapitulated that of the endogenous Drd1a gene, as assessed by immunohistological approaches in embryonic and adult stages. Efficiency of recombination was confirmed by crossing D1Cre with three different loxP lines (Creb1loxP, CaMKIVloxP and GRloxP) and with the R26R reporter. In the three loxP lines studied, recombination was restricted to the area of Cre expression.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the patterns of recombination restricted to the major dopaminoceptive regions as seen in the context of the CREB, CaMKIV and GR mutations, the D1Cre line will be a useful tool to dissect the contributions of specific genes to biological processes involving dopamine signaling.
Lemberger
Thomas
T
German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Thomas.Lemberger@embo.org <Thomas.Lemberger@embo.org>
Parlato
Rosanna
R
Dassesse
Donald
D
Westphal
Magdalena
M
Casanova
Emilio
E
Turiault
Marc
M
Tronche
François
F
Schiffmann
Serge N
SN
Schütz
Günther
G
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases; D003401:Creatine; D004298:Dopamine