title: Germ cell-specific expression of Cre recombinase using the VASA promoter in the pig.
abstract: The Cre-loxP system is a powerful tool for genetic analysis of distinct cell lineages and tissue-specific gene knockout in animal models. VASA is specifically expressed in reproductive tissues, and is known to play important roles in spermatogenesis and germ-cell growth. In this study, Cre recombinase transgenic pigs under the control of the VASA promoter were generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Germ cell-specific expression of Cre recombinase in VASA-Cre transgenic pigs was shown by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. VASA-Cre transgenic pigs will be a useful tool for germ cell-specific gene knockout and a disease model for disorders of the reproductive system.
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Yuning
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Liangxue
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Yongye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Anfeng
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Xiaochun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Daxin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Zhanjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering Jilin University Changchun China.
authors.forename: Hongsheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouyang
keywords: Cre–loxP system; SCNT; VASA; pig; transgene