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Temporal regulation of Cre recombinase activity in neural stem cells
Author(s) -
Imayoshi Itaru,
Ohtsuka Toshiyuki,
Metzger Daniel,
Chambon Pierre,
Kageyama Ryoichiro
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20212
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , neural stem cell , genetically modified mouse , nestin , stem cell , biology , transgene , enhancer , neurosphere , recombinase , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , adult stem cell , cellular differentiation , genetics , gene , transcription factor , recombination
Neural stem cells are known to give rise to distinct subtypes of neurons and glial cells over time by changing their competency. However, precise characterization of neural stem cells at various developmental stages remains to be performed. For such analysis, a tool to manipulate neural stem cells at different time points is necessary. Here, we generated transgenic mice that express Cre‐ER T2 in the ventricular zone of the developing nervous system under the control of the nestin promoter and enhancer (Nes‐CreER T2 ). In mice expressing Cre‐ER T2 at appropriate levels, Cre recombinase activity was mostly inactive but efficiently activated by tamoxifen within 1 day. When such mice were crossed with the ROSA‐26 or Z/EG reporter mice, neural stem cells were permanently labeled after administration of tamoxifen. Thus, Nes‐CreER T2 mice offer a powerful tool to manipulate neural stem cells genetically at desired time points. genesis 44:233–238, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.