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Expression of conditional cre recombinase in epithelial tissues of transgenic mice
Author(s) -
Wen Fang,
Cecena Grace,
MunozRitchie Varinia,
Fuchs Elaine,
Chambon Pierre,
Oshima Robert G.
Publication year - 2003
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/gene.10169
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , biology , internal ribosome entry site , microbiology and biotechnology , transgene , genetically modified mouse , gene expression , alkaline phosphatase , gene , messenger rna , translation (biology) , enzyme , genetics , biochemistry
Summary: Keratin 18 (K18) expression is a defining characteristic of internal epithelial cells of mammals. Here, we used the K18 gene and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) to express green fluorescent protein, human placental alkaline phosphatase, and a modified Cre recombinase in an epithelial specific pattern in transgenic mice. The K18‐driven alkaline phosphatase was expressed in liver, kidney, uterine endometrium, and other internal epithelia. The enzymatic activity of the Cre recombinase‐mutant estrogen receptor fusion protein was dependent on tamoxifen administration and resulted in a mosaic pattern in internal epithelia, including bladder, uterus, liver, and kidney. This conditional Cre activity in internal epithelial organs should be valuable for strategies utilizing Cre for activation of gene expression. This study demonstrates that the tissue‐specific, position‐independent transcriptional activity of the K18 gene is not compromised by the use of an IRES element for the expression of a second protein from a bicistronic mRNA. genesis 35:100–106, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.