FVB/N-Tg(Ins1-luc)VUPwrs/J

Stock number: 007800
Research areas: Diabetes and Obesity Research, Research Tools

Description

These MIP-Luc-VU mice have luciferase (luc) expression under control of the mouse insulin I promoter (MIP or Ins1) and may be useful as a source of luciferase-expressing β cells for pancreatic islet cultures and transplantation, as well as non-invasive, in vivo monitoring of bioluminescent β cells for studying glucose homeostasis, β cell growth and regeneration, and diabetes.

Detailed description

Mice hemizygous for this MIP-luc transgene are viable and fertile, with luciferase (luc) expression under control of the mouse insulin I promoter (MIP or Ins1). After injection of the luciferin substrate, luc expression can be visualized using bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Mice from founder line VU (MIP-Luc-VU) exhibit strong and consistent luc bioluminescence emanating exclusively from β cells of the pancreatic islet, and luc-expressing beta cells can be visualized through the skin. MIP-Luc-VU pancreatic islets have normal islet architecture and insulin secretion both in vivo and in vitro, with luciferase intensity reporting the number of islets. In transplantation settings and models of increased/decreased beta cell mass, bioluminescence is proportional to beta cell mass (incorporating some aspects of islet function, with signal up-regulation in hyperglycemic states). These MIP-Luc-VU mice may be useful as a source of luciferase-expressing β cells for pancreatic islet cultures and transplantation, as well as non-invasive, in vivo monitoring of bioluminescent β cells for studying glucose homeostasis, β cell growth and regeneration, and diabetes.

Development

The MIP-luc transgenic construct was designed with the 9.2 kb mouse insulin I promoter (MIP or Ins1) and a luciferase (luc) optical reporter cDNA gene (with a β-globin region and 3' non-transgenic region flanking the luc fragment on each side to stabilize the transgene). This transgene was injected into FVB/N embryos. Mice from founder line "VU" (specifically 43-8 (line 5)) exhibited the highest and most consistent luciferase expression over the pancreatic region and were found to have approximately three copies. These MIP-Luc-VU mice were maintained on the FVB/N genetic background by breeding with wild-type siblings for many generations prior to arrival at The Jackson Laboratory.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(Ins1-luc)VUPwrs
Name: transgene insertion VU, Alvin Powers
MGI accession ID: MGI:4357680
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Reporter
Marker symbol: Tg(Ins1-luc)VUPwrs
Marker name: transgene insertion VU, Alvin Powers
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: FVB/NJ
Expressed genes: luc,luciferase,firefly
Site of expression: Induced luciferase (luc) is expressed exclusively from β cells of the pancreatic islet, visible through the skin.
Molecular note: The MIP-luc transgenic construct was designed with the 9.2 kb mouse insulin I promoter (MIP or Ins1) and a luciferase (luc) optical reporter cDNA gene (with a rabbit beta-globin intronic and polyA sequences and 3' non-transgenic region flanking the luc fragment on each side to stabilize the transgene). This transgene was injected into FVB/N embryos. Mice from founder line "VU" (specifically 43-8 (line 5)) exhibited the highest and most consistent luciferase expression over the pancreatic region and were found to have approximately three copies.