B6.129P2-Lgr6^{tm2.1(cre/ERT2)Cle}/J

Stock number: 016934
Product name: Lgr6-GFP-ires-CreERT2
Research areas: Research Tools

Description

 These Lgr6 knock-out mice carry an EGFP-Ires-CreERT2 mutation that enables green fluorescent protein labeling of cells that normally express Lgr6. Lgr6 marks a distinct stem cell population located in hair follicles. The tamoxifen-inducible cre excision feature has been useful in tracing hair follicle stem cell fate.

Detailed description

Lgr6 (leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 6) marks a distinct stem cell population located in hair follicles. Situated directly above CD34 and keratin 15-positive stem cells in the hair follicle bulge, LGR6+ stem cells are capable of generating all cell lineages of the skin and are involved with wound repair and new hair follicle development.

Insertion of EGFP-Ires-CreERT2 into the transcriptional start site of the gene has enabled green fluorescent labeling of cells that normally express Lgr6. Prominent expression in rare cells in the brain, mammary gland, lung and skin is observed. Endogenous expression of LGR6 protein is blocked. Homozygotes are viable, healthy, and fertile.

When crossed with a Gt(ROSA)26Sor-LacZ cre reporter strain (e.g. Stock No. 003474), no leakiness of the CreERT2 is observed prior to tamoxifen induction. Single injections of tamoxifen facilitate tracking of LGR6+ cells and their derivatives through lacZ staining.

Development

An EGFP-Ires-CreERT2 cassette followed by a loxP-flanked neomycin cassette was introduced to the transcriptional start site of the targeted gene via 129P2/OlaHsd-derived IB10/E14IB10 embryonic stem cells. Resultant mice were crossed with a PGK-cre mouse of unknown genetic background to excise the neomycin cassette. This strain was backcrossed to C57BL/6 for 6-8 generations by the donating laboratory.

Allele

Symbol: Lgr6^{tm2.1(cre/ERT2)Cle}
Name: targeted mutation 2.1, Hans Clevers
MGI accession ID: MGI:4438349
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Recombinase-expressing; Reporter; Inducible; Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Lgr6
Marker name: leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 6
Chromosome: 1
Strain of origin: 129P2/OlaHsd
Expressed genes: GFP,Green Fluorescent Protein,; cre/ERT2,Cre recombinase and estrogen receptor 1 (human) fusion gene,
Site of expression: GFP is expressed in rare cells in the brain, mammary gland, lung and skin.
Molecular note: An EGFP-IRES-CreERT2 cassette was inserted at the transcriptional start site along with a loxP-flanked neomycin cassette by homologous recombination. The neomycin gene was then removed by cre mediated recombination. EGFP expression is driven by the endogenous promoter. Cre expression is induced by tamoxifen treatment.