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Spontaneous ectopic recombination in cell‐type‐specific Cre mice removes loxP ‐flanked marker cassettes in vivo
Author(s) -
Eckardt Dominik,
Theis Martin,
Döring Britta,
Speidel Dina,
Willecke Klaus,
Ott Thomas
Publication year - 2004
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.20011
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , biology , marker gene , cre lox recombination , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetically modified mouse , gene targeting , in vivo , gene , genetics
Conditional gene targeting using the Cre/ loxP technology generally includes integration of a selection marker cassette flanked by loxP recognition sites (floxed) in the target gene locus. Subsequent marker removal avoids possible impairment of gene expression or mosaicism due to partial and total deletions after Cre‐mediated recombination in vivo. The use of deleter Cre mice for in vivo marker removal in floxed connexin43 mice revealed considerable mosaicism, but no selective marker removal. In addition, we noted that several Cre transgenic lines displayed spontaneous ectopic activity, reminiscent of deleter Cre mice, and required the confirmation of cell type‐specific deletion in every individual mouse. When we used myosin heavy chain promoter Cre (αMyHC‐Cre) mice for cardiomyocyte specific deletion, we observed, in addition to cardiomyocyte‐restricted or complete excision, selective marker removal in a subgroup of mice as well. Thus, selective marker removal can be achieved as a byproduct of cell‐type restricted deletion. genesis 38:159–165, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.