These transgenic mice have a tetracycline (doxycycline) inducible Cre-mediated recombination system that is specific for skeletal muscle myocytes.  Two transgenic constructs were coinjected to generate this strain.  The first transgene contains cre recombinase under the control of the tetO, tetracycline-responsive regulatory element and a second transgenic construct contains the reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator, <i>rtTA</i> (Tet-On), under the control of the human <i>ACTA1</i>, actin, alpha 1, skeletal muscle promoter.  Mice hemizygous for the transgenic inserts are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities.  Cre mRNA expression is detected in mice treated with doxycycline (dox) specifically in limb muscle.  In the absence of dox, very weak Cre mRNA expression is detected in skeletal muscle.  When crossed with a reporter strain, inducible Cre recombinase activity is restricted to skeletal muscle tissues.  Slight Cre recombinase activity is detected in skeletal muscle in the absence of dox.  Some expression mosaicism is detected between muscle fibers and muscles.

 This HSA-rtTA/TRE-Cre mutant mouse strain may be useful for generating tissue specific-targeted mutants that would be useful in studying gene function in skeletal muscle, and is especially useful for studying steroid and hormone regulation in skeletal muscle and muscle/motorneuron interactions.

Typically mice are recovered in 12-16 weeks. Contact Customer Service to place an order or for more information.

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