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Sites of Cre‐recombinase activity in mouse lines targeting skeletal cells
Author(s) -
Couasnay Greig,
Madel MariaBernadette,
Lim Joohyun,
Lee Brendan,
Elefteriou Florent
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of bone and mineral research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.882
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1523-4681
pISSN - 0884-0431
DOI - 10.1002/jbmr.4415
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , transgene , mesenchymal stem cell , cre lox recombination , biology , gene targeting , microbiology and biotechnology , genetically modified mouse , recombinase , function (biology) , computational biology , gene , genetics , recombination
The Cre/Lox system is a powerful tool in the biologist's toolbox, allowing loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function studies, as well as lineage tracing, through gene recombination in a tissue‐specific and inducible manner. Evidence indicates, however, that Cre transgenic lines have a far more nuanced and broader pattern of Cre activity than initially thought, exhibiting “off‐target” activity in tissues/cells other than the ones they were originally designed to target. With the goal of facilitating the comparison and selection of optimal Cre lines to be used for the study of gene function, we have summarized in a single manuscript the major sites and timing of Cre activity of the main Cre lines available to target bone mesenchymal stem cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, tenocytes, and osteoclasts, along with their reported sites of “off‐target” Cre activity. We also discuss characteristics, advantages, and limitations of these Cre lines for users to avoid common risks related to overinterpretation or misinterpretation based on the assumption of strict cell‐type specificity or unaccounted effect of the Cre transgene or Cre inducers. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).