B6;129-Omp^tm1(tTA)Gogo/J

Stock number: 017754
Product name: OMP-tTA
Research areas: Neurobiology Research, Research Tools, Sensorineural Research

Description

The olfactory marker protein gene drives expression of a tetracycline-regulated transactivator in these mice, allowing the inducible expression of genes in olfactory receptor neurons. They may have applications in studying the formation and organization of olfactory and other sensory maps.

Detailed description

An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) fused with a tetracycline-regulated transactivator (tTA) was inserted into the 3' untranslated region of the mouse olfactory marker protein (Omp) gene in these mice. Homozygous mice are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. When mated to a second strain carrying a gene of interest under the regulatory control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter element (TRE; tetO), expression of the target gene can be blocked by administration of the tetracycline analog, doxycycline (dox). These mice are a "Tet-Off" tool that allow the inducible expression of genes in olfactory receptor neurons, and may be useful in studying the formation and organization of the olfactory and other sensory maps. For example, when mated to mice expressing the tetanus toxin light chain (TeTxLC) and β-galactosidase (lacZ) under the control of tetO, dox induction allows for visualization of 70% to 80% of olfactory neurons in the resulting mice.

Development

A targeting vector was designed to insert an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) fused to a VP22-enhanced tetracycline-regulated transactivator (tTA or "Tet-Off") into the 3' untranslated region of the mouse olfactory marker protein (Omp) gene. An ACN cassette was placed at the 3' end of the construct. The ACN cassette, containing the neomycin resistance gene and Cre recombinase gene under the control of angiotensin-converting enzyme promoter, is flanked by loxP sites. Cre-mediated recombination during spermatogenesis removed the cassette leaving one loxP site. This construct was electroporated into 129-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into recipient blastocysts and chimeric males were bred with C57BL/6 females. These OMP-IRES-tTA mice were maintained on a mixed B6;129S genetic background. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, mice were bred to C57BL/6J inbred mice (Stock No. 000664) for one generation.

Allele

Symbol: Omp^tm1(tTA)Gogo
Name: targeted mutation 1, Joseph Gogos
MGI accession ID: MGI:3721403
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Transactivator
Marker symbol: Omp
Marker name: olfactory marker protein
Chromosome: 7
Strain of origin: 129
Expressed genes: tTA,tetracycline-controlled transactivator,E. coli
Site of expression: Expression can be induced in the neurons of the olfactory bulb.
Molecular note: An IRES fused tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activator (tTA) to create a bicistronic allele was inserted into the 3' untranslated region of Omp. tTA is expressed in all Omp+ olfactory nerve cells.