Delmas Véronique, Martinozzi Silvia, Bourgeois Yveline, Holzenberger Martin, Larue Lionel
Genesis. 2003 Jun;36(2):73-80. doi: 10.1002/gene.10197.
Organ-specific expression of a Cre recombinase allows the analysis of gene function in a particular tissue or cell type. Using a 6.1 kb promoter from the mouse tyrosinase gene, we generated and characterized two lines of transgenic mice that express Cre recombinase in melanoblasts. Utilizing a Cre-responsive reporter mouse strain, genetic recombination was detected in the melanoblasts of the skin from embryonic day 11.5. In addition, Cre-expression was detected in the skin and eyes of mice. Cre transgene activity was occasionally detected in the brain and peripheral nerves but not in other tissues. When Tyr::Cre mice were crossed with mice carrying a homozygous loxP conditional mutation for the insulin-like growth factor receptor gene (Igf1r), Cre-melanoblast-specific recombination pattern was confirmed and no abnormal phenotype was observed. In conclusion, Tyr::Cre transgenic mice provide a valuable tool to follow the cell lineage and to examine gene function in melanocyte development and transformation.
Cre重组酶的器官特异性表达能够分析特定组织或细胞类型中的基因功能。利用来自小鼠酪氨酸酶基因的6.1 kb启动子，我们构建并鉴定了两系在成黑素细胞中表达Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠。利用一种Cre反应性报告基因小鼠品系，在胚胎第11.5天的皮肤成黑素细胞中检测到了基因重组。此外，在小鼠的皮肤和眼睛中检测到了Cre表达。Cre转基因活性偶尔在大脑和外周神经中检测到，但在其他组织中未检测到。当Tyr::Cre小鼠与携带胰岛素样生长因子受体基因（Igf1r）纯合loxP条件性突变的小鼠杂交时，证实了Cre成黑素细胞特异性重组模式，且未观察到异常表型。总之，Tyr::Cre转基因小鼠为追踪细胞谱系以及研究黑素细胞发育和转化中的基因功能提供了一个有价值的工具。
