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Development of a pituitary‐specific cre line targeted to the Pit‐1 lineage
Author(s) -
Yin Zhirong,
WilliamsSimons Lisa,
Rawahneh Lisa,
Asa Sylvia,
Kirschner Lawrence S.
Publication year - 2008
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.20362
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , biology , transgene , somatotropic cell , lineage (genetic) , pituitary gland , genetically modified mouse , thyrotropic cell , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell , gene , medicine , endocrinology , hormone , genetics
Tissue‐specific expression of the Cre recombinase is a well‐established genetic tool to analyze gene function in specific tissues and cell types. In this report, we describe the generation of a new transgenic line that expresses Cre under the control of the rat growth hormone releasing hormone receptor ( rGhrhr ) promoter. This promoter, chosen to target the anterior pituitary, drives cre‐mediated recombination in cells of the Pit1 lineage, including somatotrophs, lactotrophs, and thyrotrophs. Cre activity is first detected at embryonic day 13.5, and gradually increases to reach high level expression by postnatal day 2. In addition to the pituitary, rGhrhr‐cre expression was detected in vibrissae and in hair follicles of the proximal limb, but not in other tissues. The rGhrhr‐cre line will be a valuable tool for the study of the development of the pituitary Pit1 lineage and for the study of tumorigenesis involving these cells. genesis 46:37–42, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.