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Generation of embryonic stem cells and transgenic mice expressing green fluorescence protein in midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Author(s) -
Zhao Suling,
Maxwell Sarah,
JimenezBeristain Antonio,
Vives Joaquim,
Kuehner Eva,
Zhao Jiexin,
O'Brien Carmel,
De Felipe Carmen,
Semina Elena,
Li Meng
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03206.x
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , biology , green fluorescent protein , microbiology and biotechnology , transgene , neural stem cell , genetically modified mouse , substantia nigra , stem cell , ventral tegmental area , cell sorting , gene knockin , transplantation , dopaminergic , neuroscience , dopamine , medicine , flow cytometry , genetics , gene
We have generated embryonic stem (ES) cells and transgenic mice with green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted into the Pitx3 locus via homologous recombination. In the central nervous system, Pitx3 ‐directed GFP was visualized in dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Live primary DA neurons can be isolated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting from these transgenic mouse embryos. In culture, Pitx3 –GFP is coexpressed in a proportion of ES‐derived DA neurons. Furthermore, ES cell‐derived Pitx3 –GFP expressing DA neurons responded to neurotrophic factors and were sensitive to DA‐specific neurotoxin N‐4‐methyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine. We anticipate that the Pitx3 –GFP ES cells could be used as a powerful model system for functional identification of molecules governing mDA neuron differentiation and for preclinical research including pharmaceutical drug screening and transplantation. The Pitx3 knock‐in mice, on the other hand, could be used for purifying primary neurons for molecular studies associated with the midbrain‐specific DA phenotype at a level not previously feasible. These mice would also provide a useful tool to study DA fate determination from embryo‐ or adult‐derived neural stem cells.