Mice hemizygous for the Thy1-GFP transgene are viable and fertile with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression under the control of a modified Thy1 promoter region (containing the sequences required for neuronal expression but lacking the sequences required for expression in non-neural cells). Thy1-GFP mice derived from founder line O express EGFP in subsets of neurons within specific populations; providing a bright, vital Golgi-like stain. High (>80%) EGFP expression is observed in motor axons and cerebellar mossy fibers. Low (<10%) EGFP expression is observed in retinal ganglion cells and lumbar dorsal root ganglion. Sparse EGFP-labeling is also observed in neurons from multiple cortical layers. These Thy1-GFP line O transgenic mice may be useful for fluorescent labeling of neural tissues; especially motor axons and cerebellar mossy fibers, as well as intense, yet sparse, labeling of a variety of cortical neurons.
This strain is one of many from the same transgene creator/donating investigator with specific/differential fluorescent protein expression in neural tissues (see Stock No. 003709, Stock No. 003710, Stock No. 003782, Stock No. 005630, and Stock No. 007788) or multiple fluorescent protein expression in neural tissues (see the Brainbow mice; Stock No. 007901, Stock No. 007910, Stock No. 007911, Stock No. 007921).
