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Transgenic mice expressing a dual, CRE‐inducible reporter for the analysis of axon guidance and synaptogenesis
Author(s) -
Badaloni Aurora,
Bonanomi Dario,
Albieri Ilaria,
Givogri Irene,
Bongarzone Ernesto,
Valtorta Flavia,
Consalez G. Giacomo
Publication year - 2007
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.20307
Subject(s) - biology , reporter gene , neurite , microbiology and biotechnology , synaptogenesis , transgene , neurogenesis , axon guidance , green fluorescent protein , axon , neuroscience , gene expression , gene , genetics , in vitro
Improved and modular tools are needed for the neuroanatomical dissection of CNS axonal tracts, and to study the cell‐intrinsic and cell‐extrinsic cues that govern their assembly and plasticity. Here we describe a general purpose transgenic tracer that can be used to visualize axonal tracts and synaptic terminals in any region of the embryonic neural tube or postnatal CNS, on any wild type or mutant genetic background. The construct permits CRE‐inducible expression of a dicistronic axonal marker encoding two surface reporter proteins: a farnesylated GFP and the human Placental Alkaline Phosphatase (PLAP). Both proteins localize alongside the neuronal surface, permitting the concomitant detection of cell body, neurites, and presynaptic and postsynaptic sites in the same neuron. This provides a CRE‐inducible dual system for imaging neural circuits in vivo, and to study their assembly and remodeling in cultured neurons, neural stem cells, and tissue explants derived from the reporter line. Unlike existing lines, this reporter does not encode a ubiquitously expressed, floxable LacZ gene, permitting the simultaneous analysis of beta galactosidase activity in mutant lines. genesis 45:405–412, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.