Temporal regulation of Cre-recombinase activity in Scl-positive neurons of the central nervous system.
The Cre/LoxP system provides a powerful tool to investigate gene function in vivo. This system requires Cre-recombinase expressing mouse lines that permit control of gene recombination in a tissue-specific and time-dependent manner. To allow spatio-temporal gene deletion in specific central nervous system (CNS) neuronal populations, we generated mice with a tamoxifen-inducible Cre (Cre-ER(T)) transgene under control of the Scl/Tal1 neural promoter/enhancer -0.9E3 (-0.9E3CreER(T) transgenic mice). Using Cre-reporter mice we have shown that tamoxifen-mediated Cre-ER(T) recombination in -0.9E3CreER(T) mice recapitulated the anticipated expression pattern of Scl in the caudal thalamus, midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord. Cre-mediated recombination was also effectively induced during embryogenesis and marked the same population of neurons as observed in the adult. Additionally, we identified a tamoxifen-independent constitutively active -0.9E3CreER(T) mouse line that will be useful for gene deletion during early neurogenesis. These -0.9E3CreER(T) mice will provide tools to investigate the role of neuronal genes in the developing and mature CNS. CNS.
Bradley
Cara K
CK
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia.
Takano
Elena A
EA
Göthert
Joachim R
JR
Göttgens
Berthold
B
Green
Anthony R
AR
Begley
C Glenn
CG
van Eekelen
J Anke M
JA
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D019426:Integrases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D023421:Models, Animal; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D013629:Tamoxifen; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases