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Spatiotemporal gene control by the Cre‐ERT2 system in melanocytes
Author(s) -
Yajima Ichiro,
Belloir Elodie,
Bourgeois Yveline,
Kumasaka Mayuko,
Delmas Véronique,
Larue Lionel
Publication year - 2006
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.20182
Subject(s) - biology , cre recombinase , transgene , recombinase , melanocyte , genetically modified mouse , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , gene targeting , reporter gene , genetics , gene expression , recombination , melanoma
The organ‐specific and temporal control of gene activation/inactivation is a key issue in the understanding of protein function during normal and pathological development and during oncogenesis. We generated transgenic mice bearing a tamoxifen‐dependent Cre recombinase (Tyr::Cre‐ERT2) gene expressed under the control of a 6.1 kb murine tyrosinase promoter in order to facilitate targeted spatiotemporally controlled somatic recombination in melanoblasts/melanocytes. Cre‐ERT2 production was detected in tissues containing melanocytes. After tamoxifen induction at various times during embryogenesis and adulthood in a Cre ‐responsive reporter mouse strain, genetic recombination was detected in the melanoblasts and melanocytes of the skin. Thus, the Tyr::Cre‐ERT2 transgenic mice provides a valuable tool for following this cell lineage and for investigating gene function in melanocyte development and transformation. genesis 44:34–43, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.