Applications:
Inventor has developed an advanced method for conditional gene
expression in mice that integrates the Cre-mediated and tetracycline-dependent
expression systems. An rtTA gene, preceded by a loxP-flanked STOP sequence, was
inserted into the ROSA26 locus to create a R26STOPrtTA mouse strain. When the
STOP sequence is excised by Cre-mediated recombination, the rtTA is expressed in
the Cre-expressing cells and all of their derivatives. Therefore, cell type-,
tissue-, or lineage-specific expression of rtTA is achieved by the use of an
appropriate Cre transgenic strain. In mice also carrying a target gene under the
control of the tetracycline response element, inducible expression of the target
gene is temporally regulated by administration of doxycycline.
Advantages:
Results demonstrate that this universal system is uniquely suited for
spatiotemporal and lineage-specific gene expression in an inducible fashion.
Gene expression can be manipulated in specific cell types and lineages with a
flexibility that is difficult to achieve with conventional methods. This mouse
model has been well characterized in H-M Ivy Yu, Bo Liu, Shang-Yi Chiu, Frank
Costantini and Wei Hsu (2005). Development of a unique system for spatiotemporal
and lineage-specific gene expression in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA,
102, 8615-8620.