Robust marking of photoreceptor cells and pinealocytes with several reporters under control of the Crx gene

• Published in: Developmental dynamics 2009-12, Vol.238 (12), p.3218-3225
• Main Authors: Samson, Maria, Emerson, Mark M., Cepko, Constance L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; BAC transgenic; Crx; Embryo, Mammalian; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Genes, Reporter; Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics; Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism; Homeodomain Proteins - genetics; Homeodomain Proteins - metabolism; Lac Operon; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Photoreceptor Cells - metabolism; photoreceptors; Pineal Gland - cytology; Pineal Gland - embryology; Pineal Gland - metabolism; Promoter Regions, Genetic - physiology; reporter; retina; Staining and Labeling - methods; Trans-Activators - genetics; Trans-Activators - metabolism; Transgenes - genetics
• ISSN: 1058-8388; 1097-0177
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22138

Crx is a member of the Otx family of homeobox genes with expression restricted to vertebrate retinal photoreceptor and bipolar cells as well as the pinealocytes of the pineal organ. To facilitate the visualization of Crx‐expressing cells, we generated transgenic mice expressing several reporters under the control of the Crx regulatory sequences present within a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). These mice expand the transgenic mouse collection, which uses photoreceptor regulatory elements for reporter gene expression by providing a broader repertoire of reporter genes. In addition, because Crx is expressed very soon after a cell fated to be a photoreceptor cell becomes postmitotic, they provide a means for early identification of immature photoreceptor cells. Developmental Dynamics 238:3218–3225, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.