ChAT-ChR2-YFP BAC transgenic mice have expression of the mhChR2::YFP fusion protein directed to cholinergic neuronal populations by the mouse choline acetyltransferase (Chat or ChAT) promoter/enhancer regions on the BAC transgene. The mhChR2::YFP fusion protein is composed of a mammalian codon-optimized Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channelrhodopsin-2 that was modified to harbor a gain-of-function H134R substitution (mhChR2; also called hChR2-H134R) fused in-frame with an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP). The mhChR2 is designed to cause larger stationary photocurrents compared to ChR2. The bacterial opsins are retinal-binding proteins that provide light-dependent ion transport and sensory functions to a family of halophilic bacteria; and this mhChR2 functions as a blue light-driven cation channel that depolarizes the cell and causes action potentials. As such, illuminating mhChR2-expressing neurons with blue light (450-490 nm) leads to rapid and reversible photostimulation of action potential firing/neural activity in these cells. Hemizygous mice are viable and fertile with normal life expectancy, regardless of maternal or paternal inheritance of the transgene.

The donating investigator reports that EYFP expression is visible by direct fluorescence (epifluorescence microscope). ChAT-mhChR2-YFP mice derived from founder line 6 (ChAT-ChR2-YFP line 6) exhibit strong EYFP expression in striatum and basal forebrain, trochlear nucleus, medial habenula, interpeduncular nucleus and various brainstem motor neuron nuclei. Lower EYFP expression is found in cortex, hippocampus, and other brain regions. ChAT co-staining shows precise co-localization with mhChR2-EYFP expression neurons; suggesting mhChR2-EYFP labeled neurons in this line are cholinergic neurons. High EYFP fluorescence is also observed in the ventral gray horn in transverse section of the spinal cord. The donating investigator also reports that these ChAT-mhChR2-YFP line 6 mice exhibit a similar expression pattern as ChAT-mhChR2-YFP line 5 (Stock No. 014545), but line 6 mice have brighter EYFP expression.

Because the vesicular acetylcholine transporter gene (Slc18a3 or VAChT) within the Chat locus on the BAC transgene was not disrupted, VAChT protein is increased more than 5-fold in hippocampus and more than 3-fold in brainstem of ChAT-ChR2-YFP line 6 mice. This VAChT overexpression results in increased cholinergic tone; the functional consequence of which is increased physical endurance but severe cognitive deficits in attention, working memory and spatial memory. ChAT-ChR2-EYFP line 6 mice also consume more food and water during the dark cycle compared to control mice. Compared to wildtype animals, ChAT-ChR2-EYFP line 6 mice show no changes in metabolic profile, locomotor activity in a novel environment, anxiety-like behavior, depression-like behavior, gross sensorimotor function, and ability to use cues to learn a task.

This optogenetic strain is one of many from the same transgene creator/donating investigator with light-inducible neurobiology applications; including
Thy1-ChR2-YFP line 18 (Stock No. 007612),
Thy1-ChR2-YFP line 9 (Stock No. 007615),
Thy1-eNpHR-YFP line 2 (Stock No. 012332),
Thy1-eNpHR-YFP line 4 (Stock No. 012334),
Thy1-vChR1-YFP line 1 (Stock No. 012341),
Thy1-vChR1-YFP line 4 (Stock No. 012344),
Thy1-vChR1-YFP line 8 (Stock No. 012348),
Thy1-mhChR2-YFP Line 20 (Stock No. 012350),
Prv-mhChR2-YFP Line 15 (Stock No. 012355),
ChAT-ChR2-YFP line 5 (Stock No. 014545),
VGAT-ChR2-YFP line 8 (Stock No. 014548),
and TpH2-ChR2-YFP line 5 (Stock No. 014555).