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Gfi1‐Cre knock‐in mouse line: A tool for inner ear hair cell‐specific gene deletion
Author(s) -
Yang Hua,
Gan Jean,
Xie Xiaoling,
Deng Min,
Feng Liang,
Chen Xiaowei,
Gao Zhiqiang,
Gan Lin
Publication year - 2010
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.20632
Subject(s) - inner ear , biology , cre recombinase , zinc finger transcription factor , cochlea , conditional gene knockout , gene knockin , hair cell , transcription factor , gene , zinc finger , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , genetics , transgene , genetically modified mouse , anatomy , phenotype
Gfi1 encodes a zinc‐finger transcription factor essential for the development and maintenance of haematopoiesis and the inner ear. In mouse inner ear, Gfi1 expression is confined to hair cells during development and in adulthood. To construct a genetic tool for inner ear hair cell‐specific gene deletion, we generated a Gfi1‐Cre mouse line by knocking‐in Cre coding sequences into the Gfi1 locus and inactivating the endogenous Gfi1 . The specificity and efficiency of Gfi1 ‐Cre recombinase‐mediated recombination in the developing inner ear was revealed through the expression of the conditional R26R‐lacZ reporter gene. The onset of lacZ expression in the Gfi1 Cre /+ inner ear was first detected at E13.5 in the vestibule and at E15.5 in the cochlea, coinciding with the generation of hair cells. Throughout inner ear development, lacZ expression was detected only in hair cells. Thus, Gfi1‐Cre knock‐in mouse line provides a useful tool for gene manipulations specifically in inner ear hair cells. genesis 48:400–406, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.