Simultaneous deletion of floxed genes mediated by CaMKIIα-Cre in the brain and in male germ cells: application to conditional and conventional disruption of Goα

• DOI: 10.1038/emm.2014.14
• Publication Date: 2014-05-02T06:59:57Z
• Authors: Chan-Il Choi; Sang-Phil Yoon; Jung-Mi Choi; Sung-Soo Kim; Young-Don Lee; Lutz Birnbaumer; Haeyoung Suh-Kim
• Keywords: Cre-Lox recombination; Cre recombinase; Conditional gene knockout; Gene knockin; Forebrain

The Cre/LoxP system is a well-established approach to spatially and temporally control genetic inactivation. calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha subunit (CaMKIIα) promoter limits expression specific regions of the forebrain thus has been utilized for brain-specific inactivation genes. Here, we show that CaMKIIα-Cre can be simultaneous genes in adult brain male germ cells. Double transgenic Rosa26+/stop-lacZ::CaMKIIα-Cre+/Cre mice generated by crossing CaMKIIα-Cre+/Cre with floxed ROSA26 lacZ reporter (Rosa26+/stop-lacZ) exhibited testis. When these were mated wild-type females, about 27% offspring whole body blue X-gal staining without inheriting Cre transgene. These results indicate recombination occur cells mice. Similarly, when double Gnao+/f::CaMKIIα-Cre+/Cre carrying Go-alpha gene (Gnaof/f) backcrossed approximately 22% carried disrupted allele (GnaoΔ) GnaoΔ/Δ closely resembled conventional knockout (Gnao−/−) respect impairment their behavior. Thus, conclude afford both tissue- time-controlled target permanent disruption. This work also emphasizes extra caution should exercised utilizing as breeding pairs. Mice genetically manipulated selectively ‘knock out’ yield lack entirely. By linking encoding recombinase enzyme different regulatory elements, scientists eliminate individual from particular tissues. Haeyoung Suh-Kim colleagues at Korea's Ajou University School Medicine found element commonly used specifically delete within acts testes. means targeted will deleted sperm cells, so animals exhibit this deletion throughout bodies. useful comparing gene's effects its entire organism but could cause problems researchers intending focus purely on brain.