STOCK Tg(NES-TVA)J12Ech/J

Stock number: 003529
Product name: Ntv-a
Research areas: Research Tools

Description

These Ntv-a mice express a transgene expressing the avian cell surface receptor for subgroup A avian leukosis viruses directed by a promoter derived from the human nestin gene.

Detailed description

This strain expresses the avian cell surface receptor (TVA) for subgroup A avian leukosis viruses. The transgene is under the control of a glial progenitor-specific promoter derived from the human nestin (NES) gene. The result is to render glial progenitor cells specifically susceptible to infection by viral vectors making possible the glia-specific viral transfer of genes. Please note: Mice recovered from this cryopreserved colony may have retinal degeneration.

Development

The Ntv-a transgenic construct consists of human NES promoter and exon 2 sequence, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter sequence, and SV40 DNA sequence, which provides a polyadenylation signal. The transgene expresses TVA, the receptor for avian retrovirus ALV, subgroup A (ALV-A), from a quail cDNA. A founder female was bred to FVB/N for germline transmission of the transgene. Next they were bred to an Ink4a knockout mouse [Cdkn2a^tm1Rdp] on a C57BL/6;129/Sv genetic background. The resulting mice appear to have been bred together for 15 generations (and the Ink4a knockout allele was bred out) and then the Ntv-a transgenic mice were sent to The Jackson Laboratory in 1999. Upon arrival, the colony appears to have been bred at least once to FVB/NJ. The strain is therefore on a mixed genetic background (FVB/N;C57BL/6;129/Sv).

Allele

Symbol: Tg(NES-TVA)J12Ech
Name: transgene insertion J12, Eric C Holland
MGI accession ID: MGI:2663944
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Inserted expressed sequence
Marker symbol: Tg(NES-TVA)J12Ech
Marker name: transgene insertion J12, Eric C Holland
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: FVB/N
Expressed genes: TVA,subgroup A avian leukosis virus receptor,quail
Molecular note: The transgene expresses TVA, the receptor for avian retrovirus ALV, subgroup A (ALV-A), from a quail cDNA under control of a modified human nestin promoter that includes the second-intron enhancer - which in adult mice directs expression specifically in early glial progenitor cells - and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) promoter. Cells presenting this receptor can be infected by replication-competent ALV splice acceptor (RCAS) vectors, permitting cell type specific expression of vector-borne genes.
General note: Glial progenitor cells in transgenic mice are specifically susceptible to infection by viral vectors.