STOCK Tg(TCF/Lef1-HIST1H2BB/EGFP)61Hadj/J

Stock number: 013752
Product name: TCF/Lef:H2B/GFP
Research areas: Developmental Biology Research, Research Tools

Description

TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP transgenic mice express an H2B-EGFP fusion protein under the control of six copies of a T cell specific transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 response element and a heat shock protein 1B minimal promoter. These mice may be useful for visualizing Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity during early embryogenesis and allow the tracking of individual Wnt-expressing cells.

Detailed description

TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP transgenic mice express an H2B-EGFP fusion protein (coding sequence for the human HIST1H2BB gene [histone 1 H2bb] followed C-terminally by Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein gene) under the control of six copies of a T cell specific transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (TCF/Lef1) response element and a heat shock protein 1B (Hspa1b) minimal promoter. Mice homozygous for the transgene are viable, fertile, and normal in size. Wnt (wingless-related MMTV) family members are required for triggering embryonic axis formation and for proper development. Wnt signaling results in phosphorylation and nuclear localization of β-catenin, a transcriptional co-activator protein, which, together with the TCF/Lef family of transcription factors, induces the transcription of downstream genes. TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP transgenic mice contain 6 copies of nuclear localized TCF/Lef1 DNA binding sites, which provides increased sensitivity to Wnt/&beta-catenin signaling and drives single-cell resolution of GFP expression at sites of active signaling. Specifically, GFP expression is evident in cells of the extraembryonic visceral endoderm, the primitive streak, the mature node, presomitic mesoderm and newly formed somites, posterior neural plate, cranial neural crest, face, and branchial arches. By E12.5 fluorescence is also seen in the kidney, gonads, and some neuronal subsets in the brain.

Development

The TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP transgene was designed with six copies of a T cell specific transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (TCF/Lef1) DNA binding site and a heat shock protein 1B (Hspa1b) minimal promoter driving expression of an H2B-EGFP fusion protein (coding sequence for the human HIST1H2BB gene [histone 1 H2bb] followed C-terminally by Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein gene), followed by a simian virus 40 (SV40) polyadenylation site. The transgene was microinjected into fertilized C57BL/6 X 129 oocytes, and founder mice were bred to outbred ICR mice to establish a colony. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, transgenic mice were bred to C57BL/6J inbred mice (Stock No. 000664) to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(TCF/Lef1-HIST1H2BB/EGFP)61Hadj
Name: transgene insertion 61, Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
MGI accession ID: MGI:4881498
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Reporter
Synonyms: TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP
Marker symbol: Tg(TCF/Lef1-HIST1H2BB/EGFP)61Hadj
Marker name: transgene insertion 61, Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: C57BL/6 x 129
Expressed genes: H2BC3,H2B clustered histone 3,human; GFP,Green Fluorescent Protein,
Site of expression: GFP expression is evident in cells of the extraembryonic visceral endoderm, the primitive streak, the mature node, presomitic mesoderm and newly formed somites, posterior neural plate, cranial neural crest, face, and branchial arches. By E12.5 fluorescence is also seen in the kidney, gonads, and some neuronal subsets in the brain.
Molecular note: The TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP transgene was designed with six copies of a T cell specific transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (TCF/Lef1) DNA binding site and a heat shock protein 1B (Hspa1b) minimal promoter driving expression of an H2B-EGFP fusion protein (coding sequence for the human HIST1H2BB gene [histone 1 H2bb] followed C-terminally by Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein gene), followed by a simian virus 40 (SV40) polyadenylation signal.