STOCK Tg(TCF/Lef1-lacZ)34Efu/J

Stock number: 004623
Product name: TOPGAL
Research areas: Cell Biology Research, Dermatology Research, Developmental Biology Research, Research Tools, Sensorineural Research

Description

These TOPGAL transgenic mice express Beta-galactosidase as a reporter in the presence of the lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1/transcription factor 3 mediated signaling pathway and activated Beta-catenin. Beta-galactosidase activity is displayed during early embryonic development in a subset of pluripotent embryonic basal cells of the epithelium and dermis of developing hair follicles, This strain represents an effective tool for generating mutants that would be useful in studies of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Detailed description

These TOPGAL transgenic mice are a reporter strain that express Beta-galactosidase in the presence of the lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1/transcription factor 3 (LEF/TCF) mediated signaling pathway and activated Beta-catenin. The transgene contains the lacZ gene under the control of a regulatory sequence consisting of three consensus LEF/TCF-binding motifs upstream of a minimal c-fos promoter. Transgenic mice display TOPGAL activity (Beta-galactosidase activity) during early embryonic development in a subset of pluripotent embryonic basal cells of the epithelium and dermis of developing hair follicles, but not during the next stage of hair follicle development; formation of hair germs. TOPGAL transgene activity reappears in hair follicles at E16.5 and TOPGAL expression is strongly upregulated in the postnatal hair shaft precursor cells in both whisker and body hair anagen follicles (active periods of hair growth). TOPGAL expression ceases during catagen (regression and shortening) and telogen (rest) periods of the postnatal hair growth cycle. Mice homozygous for the transgenic insert are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. This strain represents an effective tool for generating mutants that would be useful in studies of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Development

The TOPGAL transgene was designed by Dr. Elaine Fuchs (while at The University of Chicago) with three copies of a T cell specific transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (TCF/Lef1) consensus binding site and the FBJ osteosarcoma oncogene (Fos; c-fos) minimal promoter upstream of the β-galactosidase gene (lacZ). In 2003, TOPGAL mice on a CD-1 genetic background were sent to The Jackson Laboratory Repository as Stock No. 004623. This strain may be homozygous for Gnat2^cpfl3 (cone photoreceptor function loss 3), which affects bright light (photopic) vision.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(TCF/Lef1-lacZ)34Efu
Name: transgene insertion 34, Elaine Fuchs
MGI accession ID: MGI:3057160
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Reporter
Synonyms: TCF-betagal; Tg(Fos-lacZ)34Efu; TOPGAL; Top-Gal
Marker symbol: Tg(TCF/Lef1-lacZ)34Efu
Marker name: transgene insertion 34, Elaine Fuchs
Marker synonyms: TCF-betagal; Tg(Fos-lacZ)34Efu; TOPGAL; Top-Gal
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: Not Specified
Expressed genes: lacZ,beta-galactosidase,E. coli
Site of expression: lacZ expression occurs during early embryonic development in a subset of pluripotent embryonic basel cells of the epithelium and dermis of developing hair follicles. lacZ expression disappears during formation of hair germ and then reappears at E16.5 in hair follicles until 18 days after birth.
Molecular note: The transgene contains the lacZ gene under the control of a promoter consisting of three consensus lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1/transcription factor 3 (LEF/TCF)-binding motifs upstream of a minimal Fos promoter. This allele is responsive to canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signal transduction.
General note: Homozygous transgenic mice are viable, fertile, normal in size, and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities.

Transgenic mice express beta-galactosidase in the presence of the lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1/transcription factor 3 (LEF1/TCF3) mediated signaling pathway and activated Beta-catenin (CATNB).

Transgenic mice display Beta-galactosidase activity during early embryonic development in a subset of pluripotent embryonic basal cells of the epithelium and dermis of developing hair follicles. Beta-galactosidase activity is not detected in the next stage of hair follicle development, formation of hair germs. At E16.5, transgene activity reappears in hair follicles and is detectable until 18 days after birth.

Allele

Symbol: Gnat2^cpfl3
Name: cone photoreceptor function loss 3
MGI accession ID: MGI:3588845
Generation method: Spontaneous
Synonyms: no cones
Marker symbol: Gnat2
Marker name: guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha transducing 2
Marker synonyms: ACHM4; Gnat-2; GNATC; Gt-2; HG1D; Tcalpha
Chromosome: 3
Strain of origin: various
Molecular note: A single nucleotide substitution of G to A at coding nucleotide 598 in exon 6. This mutation converts codon 200 from aspartic acid to asparagine (p.D200N).
General note: This allele has been detected in the following strains either by genotyping or complementation testing: ALS/LtJ, SENCARA/PtJ, SENCARB/PtJ, SENCARC/PtJ, PN/nBSwUmabJ. (J:122428) The allele has also been reported in NMRI and CD1 (Lluis Montoliu, J:212307)