title: Conditional alleles of Msx1 and Msx2.
abstract: The msh-related homeobox genes, Msx1 and Msx2, have a variety functions during murine organogenesis, Msx1 in the development of the palate and teeth, Msx2 in the skull, teeth, and skin. Msx1 mutants die perinatally. Compound Msx1-2 mutants do not survive past late gestation. The multiplicity of functions of Msx1 and 2, as well as the lethality of Msx1 and Msx1-2 mutants limits the utility of the conventional knockouts. We therefore produced conditional alleles of Msx1 and Msx2. We constructed targeting vectors with LoxP sites flanking the homeodomain-encoding second exons and Frt sites flanking a neo gene. These vectors were used to produce targeted ES cells and mice with floxed alleles. The functionality of the LoxP sites in the floxed alleles was established by crosses with K14-Cre mice (epidermis-specific), and with an Msx2-Cre line that produces a germline deletion. Analysis of progeny by PCR revealed correct Cre-mediated recombination, as well as expected phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Hualin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maxson
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D018390:Gene Targeting; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019426:Integrases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor; C084119:MSX2 protein; C484084:Msx1 protein, mouse; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases