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Exploring germline recombination in Nestin‐Cre transgenic mice using floxed androgen receptor
Author(s) -
McLeod Victoria M.,
Cuic Brittany,
Chiam Mathew D. F.,
Lau Chew L.,
Turner Bradley J.
Publication year - 2020
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.23390
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , biology , transgene , germline , genetically modified mouse , recombinase , androgen receptor , genetics , allele , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , recombination , prostate cancer , cancer
Summary The Cre‐loxP strategy for tissue selective gene deletion has become a widely employed tool in neuroscience research. The validity of these models is largely underpinned by the temporal and spatial selectivity of recombinase expression under the promoter of the Cre driver line. Ectopic Cre‐recombinase expression gives rise to off‐target effects which can confound results and is especially detrimental if this occurs in germline cells. The Nestin‐Cre transgenic mouse is broadly used for selective gene deletion in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Here we have crossed this mouse with a floxed androgen receptor (AR) transgenic to generate double transgenic neuronal ARKO mice (AR flox ::NesCre) to study germline deletion in male and female transgenic breeders. In male AR flox ::NesCre breeders, a null AR allele was passed on to 86% of progeny regardless of the inheritance of the NesCre transgene. In female AR flox/wt ::NesCre breeders, a null AR allele was passed on to 100% of progeny where AR flox was expected to be transmitted. This surprisingly high incidence of germline recombination in the Nestin‐Cre driver line warrants caution in devising suitable breeding strategies, consideration of accurate genotyping approaches and highlights the need for thorough characterization of tissue‐specific gene deletion in this model.