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Topo IIα reporter mice reveal proliferative regions in the epidermis and small intestine
Author(s) -
Li Elizabeth R.,
Watt Fiona M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.10.022
Subject(s) - epidermis (zoology) , green fluorescent protein , downregulation and upregulation , genetically modified mouse , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , chemistry , gene , anatomy , biochemistry
We investigated topoisomerase IIα promoter activity in epithelia. In confluent human keratinocytes the promoter (−557 to +90 bp) was upregulated by oncogenic Ras. In transgenic mice expressing GFP via the promoter, GFP expression in undamaged epidermis was confined to growing hair follicles. GFP was also expressed in intestinal crypts. GFP expression was upregulated in epidermis following wounding or phorbol ester treatment. In each situation GFP expression correlated with high endogenous topoisomerase IIα expression and high proliferation. The mice therefore provide a useful model for non‐invasive imaging of regions of high proliferation in normal or damaged epidermis.