Targeted JAM-C deletion in germ cells by Spo11-controlled Cre recombinase
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Meiosis is a crucial process for the production of functional gametes. However, the biological significance of many genes expressed during the meiotic phase remains poorly understood, mainly because of the lethal phenotypes of the knockout mice. Functional analysis of such genes using the conditional knockout approach is hindered by the lack of suitable Cre transgenic lines. We describe here the generation of transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the meiotic Spo11 gene. Using LacZ-R26loxP and EYFP-R26loxP reporter mice, we show the specific expression and activity of Cre during meiosis in males and females. Spo11Cre mice were then crossed with floxed Nbs1 and JAM-C mice to produce conditional knockouts. A strong reduction of Nbs1 and JAM-C protein levels was found in the testis. Although Nbs1-deleted mice developed minor gonadal abnormalities, JAM-C-knockout mice showed a spermiogenetic arrest, as previously described for the null mice. These results provide strong evidence that Spo11Cre transgenic mice represent a powerful tool for deleting genes of interest specifically in meiotic and/or in postmeiotic germ cells.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 91-99 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Cell Science |
Volume | 124 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2011 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
researchoutputwizard | legacy.publication#42572 |
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Scopus | 78651065420 |
PubMed | 21147852 |
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Cre recombinase, JAM-C, Meiosis, Nbs1, Spo11