Generation of a transgenic mouse model with chondrocyte-specific and tamoxifen-inducible expression of Cre recombinase

Genesis. 2007 Jan;45(1):44-50. doi: 10.1002/dvg.20261.

Abstract

Postnatal cartilage development and growth are regulated by key growth factors and signaling molecules. To fully understand the function of these regulators, an inducible and chondrocyte-specific gene deletion system needs to be established to circumvent the perinatal lethality. In this report, we have generated a transgenic mouse model (Col2a1-CreER(T2)) in which expression of the Cre recombinase is driven by the chondrocyte-specific col2a1 promoter in a tamoxifen-inducible manner. To determine the specificity and efficiency of the Cre recombination, we have bred Col2a1-CreER(T2) mice with Rosa26R reporter mice. The X-Gal staining showed that the Cre recombination is specifically achieved in cartilage tissues with tamoxifen-induction. In vitro experiments of chondrocyte cell culture also demonstrate the 4-hydroxy tamoxifen-induced Cre recombination. These results demonstrate that Col2a1-CreER(T2) transgenic mice can be used as a valuable tool for an inducible and chondrocyte-specific gene deletion approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cartilage / embryology
  • Cartilage / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism*
  • Collagen Type II / genetics
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Integrases / biosynthesis
  • Integrases / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Col2a1 protein, mouse
  • Collagen Type II
  • Tamoxifen
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases