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Postnatal male germ‐cell expression of cre recombinase in Tex101‐iCre transgenic mice
Author(s) -
Lei Zhenmin,
Lin Jing,
Li Xian,
Li Shengqiang,
Zhou Huaxin,
Araki Yoshihiko,
Lan ZiJian
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.20675
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , biology , transgene , genetically modified mouse , germline , allele , recombinase , gene , spermatogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , germ cell , reporter gene , genetics , gene expression , endocrinology , recombination
We have generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses improved Cre recombinase ( iCre ) under the control of the testis‐expressed gene 101 ( Tex101 ) promoter. This transgenic mouse line was named Tex101‐iCre . Using the floxed ROSA reporter mice, we found that robust Cre recombinase activity was detected in postnatal testes with weak or no activity in other tissues. Within the testis, Cre recombinase was active in spermatogenic cells as early as the prospermatogonia stage at day 1 after birth. In 30‐ and 60‐day‐old mice, positive Cre recombinase activity was detected not only in prospermatogonia but also in spermatogenic cells at later stages of spermatogenesis. There was little or no Cre activity in interstitial cells. Breeding wild‐type females with homozygous floxed fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 ( Fgfr2 ) males carrying the Tex101‐iCre transgene did not produce any progeny with the floxed Fgfr2 allele. All the progeny inherited a recombined Fgfr2 allele, indicating that complete deletion of the floxed Fgfr2 allele by Tex101‐iCre can be achieved in the male germline. Furthermore, FGFR2 protein was not detected in spermatocytes and spermatids of adult Fgfr2 fl/fl ;Tex101‐iCre mice. Taken together, our results suggest that the Tex101‐iCre mouse line allows the inactivation of a floxed gene in spermatogenic cells in adult mice, which will facilitate the functional characterization of genes in normal spermatogenesis and male fertility. genesis 48:717–722, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.