The Gad2-IRES-Cre knock-in allele has an internal ribosome entry site and Cre recombinase in the 3' UTR of the glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 locus (Gad2). As such, the endogenous Gad2 promoter/enhancer elements direct cre expression to GAD2 positive neurons. When Gad2-IRES-Cre mice are bred with mice containing loxP-flanked sequences, Cre-mediated recombination will result in deletion of the floxed sequences in the Gad2-expressing cells (GAD2 positive neurons) of the offspring. Gad2 expression from the Gad2-IRES-Cre allele has not been evaluated. Additional phenotype information described below.
In 2010, the donating investigator reported Cre recombinase activity is specific and efficient (largely recapitulates the endogenous Gad2 expression pattern with highly efficient recombination). The donating investigator did not examine cre expression in tissues other than brain. Gad2 expression from the Gad2-IRES-Cre allele was not evaluated. They also report that homozygous mice are viable and fertile.
For characterization information of the Gad2-IRES-Cre knock-in allele, see images at the Allen Institute for Brain Science website (Gad2-IRES-Cre images).
If the recombinase activity pattern of this allele is further characterized by the Genetic Resource Science group at The Jackson Laboratory, such findings will be reported on the Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) Allele Detail entry (Gad2tm2(cre)Zjh). This same information would also be found searching the MGI Recombinase Activity database.
