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Postnatal lineage mapping of follicular melanocytes with the T yr:: C re ER T 2 transgene
Author(s) -
Harris Melissa L.,
Pavan William J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12048
Subject(s) - transgene , melanocyte , hair follicle , biology , neural crest , microbiology and biotechnology , genetically modified mouse , gene , genetics , embryo , melanoma
Summary One of the main advantages of using inducible and conditional transgenes to study pigment cell biology is that they allow for genetic manipulation within melanocytes after roles in general neural crest or melanoblast development have been fulfilled. Specifically, we focus here on the ability of the Tyr::Cre ER T2 transgenic line to alter genes within follicular melanocytes postnatally. Using the Gt( ROSA )26Sor tm1sor reporter allele, we present in detail the expression and activity of Tyr::Cre ER T2 when induced during hair morphogenesis and adult hair cycling. We find that despite similarities in expression pattern to endogenous TYR , Tyr::Cre ER T2 is effective at targeting both undifferentiated and differentiated melanocytes within the hair follicle. We also find that Tyr::Cre ER T2 provides the highest levels of recombination when induced during the early phases of hair growth. In conclusion, the descriptions provided here will guide future analyses of gene function within the melanocyte system of the hair follicle when using this Tyr::Cre ER T2 transgene.