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Genetic targeting of the endoderm with claudin‐6 CreER
Author(s) -
Anderson William J.,
Zhou Qiao,
Alcalde Victor,
Kaneko Osamu F.,
Blank Leah J.,
Sherwood Richard I.,
Guseh J. Sawalla,
Rajagopal Jayaraj,
Melton Douglas A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21437
Subject(s) - endoderm , biology , cre recombinase , embryonic stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , claudin , phenotype , genetics , gene , transgene , genetically modified mouse , tight junction
A full description of the ontogeny of the β cell would guide efforts to generate β cells from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The first step requires an understanding of definitive endoderm: the genes and signals responsible for its specification, proliferation, and patterning. This report describes a global marker of definitive endoderm, Claudin‐6 (Cldn6). We report its expression in early development with particular attention to definitive endoderm derivatives. To create a genetic system to drive gene expression throughout the definitive endoderm with both spatial and temporal control, we target the endogenous locus with an inducible Cre recombinase (Cre‐ER T2 ) cassette. Cldn6 null mice are viable and fertile with no obvious phenotypic abnormalities. We also report a lineage analysis of the fate of Cldn6 ‐expressing embryonic cells, which is relevant to the development of the pancreas, lung, and liver. Developmental Dynamics 237:504–512, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.