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A Cre‐reporter transgenic mouse expressing the far‐red fluorescent protein Katushka
Author(s) -
DiéguezHurtado Rodrigo,
Martín Javier,
MartínezCorral Inés,
Martínez María Dolores,
Megías Diego,
Olmeda David,
Ortega Sagrario
Publication year - 2011
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.20685
Subject(s) - green fluorescent protein , transgene , biology , fluorescence , in vivo , genetically modified mouse , live cell imaging , population , gene knockin , reporter gene , microbiology and biotechnology , fluorescent protein , preclinical imaging , gene expression , cell , gene , genetics , physics , demography , quantum mechanics , sociology
Cre/ loxP ‐dependent expression of fluorescent proteins represents a powerful biological tool for cell lineage, fate‐mapping, and genetic analysis. Live tissue imaging has significantly improved with the development of far‐red fluorescent proteins, with optimized spectral characteristics for in vivo applications. Here, we report the generation of the first transgenic mouse line expressing the far‐red fluorescent protein Katushka, driven by the hybrid CAG promoter upon Cre‐mediated recombination. After germ line or tissue‐specific Cre‐driven reporter activation, Katushka expression is strong and ubiquitous, without toxic effects, allowing fluorescence detection in fresh and fixed samples from all tissues examined. Moreover, fluorescence can be detected by in vivo noninvasive whole‐body imaging when Katuhska is expressed exclusively in a specific cell population deep within the animal body such as pancreatic beta cells. Thus, this reporter model enables early, widespread, and sensitive in vivo detection of Cre activity and should provide a versatile tool for a wide spectrum of fluorescence and live‐imaging applications. genesis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.