Conditional gene expression systems in the transgenic rat brain

• Verfasst von: Schönig, Kai [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Bujard, Hermann [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Bartsch, Dusan [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Conditional gene expression systems in the transgenic rat brain
• Verf.angabe: Kai Schönig, Tillmann Weber, Ariana Frömmig, Lena Wendler, Brigitte Pesold, Dominik Djandji, Hermann Bujard and Dusan Bartsch
• E-Jahr: 2012
• Jahr: 3 September 2012
• Umfang: 16 S.
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 11.09.2018
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: BMC biology
• Ort Quelle: Berlin : Springer, 2003
• Jahr Quelle: 2012
• Band/Heft Quelle: 10(2012), Artikel-ID 77, Seite 1-16
• ISSN Quelle: 1741-7007
• DOI: doi:10.1186/1741-7007-10-77
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• K10plus-PPN: 1580862012

Abstract

Background: Turning gene expression on and off at will is one of the most powerful tools for the study of gene function in vivo. While several conditional systems were successful in invertebrates, in mice the Cre/loxP recombination system and the tet-controlled transcription activation system are predominant. Both expression systems allow for spatial and temporal control of gene activities, and, in the case of tet regulation, even for the reversible activation/inactivation of gene expression. Although the rat is the principal experimental model in biomedical research, in particular in studies of neuroscience, conditional rat transgenic systems are exceptionally rare in this species. Results: We addressed this lack of technology, and established and thoroughly characterized CreERT2 and tTA transgenic rats with forebrain-specific transgene expression, controlled by the CaMKII alpha promoter. In addition, we developed new universal rat reporter lines for both transcription control systems and established inducible and efficient reporter gene expression in forebrain neurons. Conclusions: We demonstrate that conditional genetic manipulations in the rat brain are both feasible and practicable and outline advantages and limitations of the Tet and Cre/loxP system in the rat brain.