The Cck-IRES-Cre allele harbors an internal ribosome entry site and Cre recombinase in the 3' UTR of the cholecystokinin locus (Cck). As such, cre expression is directed by the endogenous Cck promoter/enhancer elements. When Cck-IRES-Cre mice are bred with mice containing loxP-flanked sequences, Cre-mediated recombination will result in deletion of the floxed sequences in the Cck-expressing cells in the offspring. Cck expression from the Cck-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 Cck expression pattern with highly efficient recombination). They report Cre recombinase activity is observed in cholecystokinin positive neurons (interneurons) of the cortex. The donating investigator did not examine cre expression in tissues other than brain (October 2012). Cck expression from the Cck-IRES-Cre allele was not evaluated. They also reported that homozygous mice are viable and fertile.
For characterization information, see images at the Allen Institute for Brain Science website (Cck-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 (Ccktm1.1(cre)Zjh). This same information would also be found searching the MGI Recombinase Activity database.
