We are looking for a lab which would be interested in studying our
transgenic mouse line which has a very interesting neural expression
pattern of the beta-galactosidase transgene. Unfortunately, we cannot
pursue this project ourselves for lack of personnel, money and
know-how.
The transgene was originally designed for a very different purpose but
essentially turned out to be an enhancer trap construct. It contains
a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) fused to the TK promoter and
beta-galactosidase. Its expression is apparently determined by the
site of integration and not at all by the GRE. Indeed, upon analysing
10 different F0 embryos, they all showed a different expression
pattern. We have partially characterized one of our established mouse
lines. It is still heterozygous for the transgene and has about 10
tandem copies of it.
Expression in the embryo:
- detectable as of day 11 in a specific set of cells. Strong
expression at day 14 (older embryos not analysed yet).
- includes expression in a subset of cells in dorsal root ganglia,
anterior and dorsal horn of the spinal cord, trigeminus and the
neuroectoderm of the optic cup.
Expression in the adult:
- so far, we have only seen expression in the CNS, but PNS and other
organs need to be reexamined more carefully.
- expression is seen in few cells of the following structures: pons,
myelencephalus (e.g. NTS), central grey substance in mesencephalus,
trigeminus and spinal nucleus, midline thalamic nuclei (but not in
cortex).
If you are interested in this project and would like to save this
mouse line from terminal sacrifice, I would love to hear from you.
--
Didier Picard
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Departement de Biologie Cellulaire
Universite de Geneve
Sciences III
30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet
CH-1211 Geneve 4, Switzerland
Tel.(+41) (0)22 / 702 6813
(+41) (0)22 / 702 6670 secretariat
Fax (+41) (0)22 / 781 1747
PICARD at SC2A.UNIGE.CH
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