FVB-Tg(GFAP-luc,GAPDH-rluc)172.9Mes/J

Stock number: 009638
Strain synonyms: dual-Glo
Research areas: Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

These Dual-glo transgenic mice express both firefly luciferase (luc) under the control of the human GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) promoter and Renilla luciferase under the control of the 0.5kb human GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter. GFAP-fLuc transgene expression is highest in brain, with lower levels detected in heart and no detectable expression in kidney, muscle, lung and liver. The firefly luciferase protein co-localizes with GFAP in astrocytes after kainic acid induced injury. GAPDH-RLuc transgene expression is highest in brain and heart, with lower levels detected in kidney, muscle, lung and liver. Interindividual variability in firefly luciferase expression is reduced with normalization of the GFAP-fLuc signal to the GAPDH-RLuc signal. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of Alexander disease, astrocyte biology, and gliosis.

Detailed description

These Dual-glo transgenic mice express both firefly luciferase (luc) under the control of the human GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) promoter and Renilla luciferase under the control of the 0.5kb human GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter. GFAP-fLuc transgene expression is highest in brain, with lower levels detected in heart and no detectable expression in kidney, muscle, lung and liver. The firefly luciferase protein co-localizes with GFAP in astrocytes after kainic acid induced injury. GAPDH-RLuc transgene expression is highest in brain and heart, with lower levels detected in kidney, muscle, lung and liver. Interindividual variability in firefly luciferase expression is reduced with normalization of the GFAP-fLuc signal to the GAPDH-RLuc signal. Retinal expression of luciferase is increased due to photoreceptor degeneration for mice on the FVB background and the homozygous presence of the retinal degeneration 1, Pde6b^rd1 (rd) mutation. Firefly luciferase and GFAP expression increases in response to chemical (Kainic acid) induced injury. Mice that are hemizygous for the targeted mutation are viable, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of Alexander disease, astrocyte biology, and gliosis.

Development

To generate the Dual-glo transgenic line, two transgenic constructs were co-injected into FVB/N fertilized oocytes. The first construct (GFAP-fLuc) included the firefly luciferase gene under the control of the 2.2kb human GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter. The other construct (GAPDH-RLuc) consisted of the Renilla luciferase gene under the control of the 0.5kb human GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter. Founder line 172.9 was subsequently established. The mice were backcrossed to FVB/N for 10 generations before arriving at The Jackson Laboratory. The mice were crossed to FVB/NJ once to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(GFAP-luc,GAPDH-rluc)172.9Mes
Name: transgene insertion 172.9, Albee Messing
MGI accession ID: MGI:3850718
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Reporter
Marker symbol: Tg(GFAP-luc,GAPDH-rluc)172.9Mes
Marker name: transgene insertion 172.9, Albee Messing
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: (FVB x C57BL/6)F1
Expressed genes: luc,luciferase,firefly; rluc,Renilla luciferase,sea pansy
Molecular note: Two transgenic constructs were co-injected into fertilized oocytes. The first construct (GFAP-fLuc) included the firefly luciferase gene under the control of the 2.2kb human GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter. The other construct (GAPDH-RLuc) consisted of the Renilla luciferase gene under the control of the 0.5kb human GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter. Founder line 172.9 was subsequently established.