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Rapid promoter analysis in developing mouse brain and genetic labeling of young neurons by doublecortin‐DsRed‐express
Author(s) -
Wang Xiuyun,
Qiu Runxiang,
Tsark Walter,
Lu Qiang
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.21440
Subject(s) - doublecortin , enhancer , electroporation , biology , reporter gene , transgene , gene , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , neuroscience , hippocampus , dentate gyrus
Characterization of neural promoter/enhancers is essential for understanding gene regulation during brain development and provides useful genetic tools. However, it relies on the use of transgenic mice. We report a method for the rapid in vivo analysis of neural promoter/enhancers in the developing mouse brain and its application in the isolation of the doublecortin (DCX) promoter/enhancer for genetic labeling of young neurons. In the present study, we demonstrated that reporter genes introduced into the developing mouse cerebral cortex by in utero electroporation can achieve promoter/enhancer‐specific patterns of expression. We used the in utero electroporation system to isolate a genomic fragment of the doublecortin gene that can direct reporter expression faithful to doublecortin in young neurons of the cerebral cortex. Finally, we showed that the DCX promoter identified via electroporation could reproduce doublecortin expression in the entire central nervous system in DCX‐DsRed‐express transgenic mice. The results of our study provide a convenient, reliable, and rapid method for in vivo analysis of neural promoter/enhancers in the developing mouse brain. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.