STOCK Mecp2^tm3.1Bird/J

Stock number: 014610
Product name: Mecp2-GFP
Research areas: Mouse/Human Gene Homologs, Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

These mice harbor a knock-in mutation designed to insert an EGFP sequence in the 3' UTR of the Mecp2 gene. These mice may be useful for visualizing MECP2-expressing neuronal cells.

Detailed description

A targeted mutation was designed to insert an enhanced green fluorescent protein sequence (EGFP) sequence in the 3' UTR of the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) gene. Homozygous females and male carriers are viable, fertile, normal in size, and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. Mecp2 is located on the X-chromosome, and exhibits increased expression in the central nervous system during neuronal maturation. Mutations in the Mecp2 gene can cause Rett Syndrome, an autism-spectrum neurodevelopmental disorder. Under control of the endogenous Mecp2 promoter, these mice express EGFP in neurons throughout the brain at levels consistent with endogenous MECP2 expression in wildtype mice from the colony. These mice may be useful for visualizing MECP2 expressing neuronal cells.

Development

A targeting construct was designed to insert an enhanced green fluorescent protein sequence (EGFP) sequence and a loxP-flanked Neomycin (neo) resistance sequence-STOP cassette in the 3' UTR of the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) gene. This construct was electroporated into 129P2/OlaHsd-derived E14TG2a embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into recipient blastocysts and chimeric mice were bred with B6.C-Tg(CMV-cre)1Cgn/J mice (Stock No. 006054) to remove the floxed-neo-STOP cassette. Mice lacking both the floxed sequence and the CMV-cre transgene were subsequently backcrossed to C57BL/6 for at least 2 generations prior to arrival at The Jackson Laboratory. Upon arrival, these Mecp2-EGFP mutant mice were bred with C57BL/6J inbred mice (Stock No. 000664) for at least one generation to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Mecp2^tm3.1Bird
Name: targeted mutation 3.1, Adrian Bird
MGI accession ID: MGI:4938309
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Reporter
Marker symbol: Mecp2
Marker name: methyl CpG binding protein 2
Chromosome: X
Strain of origin: 129P2/OlaHsd
Expressed genes: GFP,Green Fluorescent Protein,
Site of expression: EGFP is expressed in neurons throughout the brain.
Molecular note: A targeting construct was designed to insert an enhanced green fluorescent protein sequence (EGFP) sequence (preceded by sequence for linker peptide CKDPPVAT) and a loxP-flanked neomycin (neo) resistance sequence-STOP cassette in the 3' UTR. Subsequent cre-mediated recombination removed the floxed neo-STOP cassette. This allele expresses a chimeric protein with the EGFP peptide linked to the C-terminus of the endogenous peptide.