C57BL/6-Tg(Slc17a6-COP4*H134R/EYFP)2Oki/J

Stock number: 017978
Product name: Vglut2-ChR2-YFP
Research areas: Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

These Vglut2-ChR2-YFP transgenic mice express channelrhodopsin-2/EYFP fusion protein directed to locomotor regions of the spinal chord and hindbrain. This strain provides a useful tool for inducible photostimulation of glutamatergic neurons involved in rhythm generation and initiation of locomotion.

Detailed description

Mice hemizygous for the Vglut2-ChR2-YFP transgene (or Tg(Slc17a6-COP4 *H134R/EYFP)2Oki) are viable and fertile, with expression of the ChR2-YFP fusion protein directed to spinal cord and hindbrain by the mouse glutamate transporter Slc17a6 promoter region on the BAC transgene. Slc17a6 is found in neurons of the locomotor region of the spinal cord and is the dominant transporter found in the hindbrain. Under blue light, ChR2 activates YFP-expressing cells and induces neuronal activity of the glutamatergic population in spinal and hindbrain locomotor regions. This strain provides a useful tool for inducible photostimulation of glutamatergic neurons involved in rhythm generation and initiation of locomotion.

Development

A bacterial articificial chromosone (BAC) # RPCI23-84M15 containing the mouse Vglut2 gene was modified by the introduction of a human codon-optimized channel rhodopsin (hChR2) and a gain-of-function H134R substitution fused to an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein sequence (EYFP) and inserted to inactivate the Vglut2 gene. The BAC vector backbone was removed and microinjected into the pronuclei of oocytes from C57BL/6N females. The donating investigator reported that founder line 2 was established and bred to C57BL/6N mice to generate the colony (see SNP note below). The strain has been maintained as a cross to C57BL/6NJ inbred mice (Stock No. 005304).

A 32 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) panel analysis, with 27 markers covering all 19 chromosomes and the X chromosome, as well as 5 markers that distinguish between the C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N substrains, was performed on the rederived living colony at The Jackson Laboratory Repository. While the 27 markers throughout the genome suggested a C57BL/6 genetic background, 3 of 5 markers that determine C57BL/6J from C57BL/6N were found to be segregating. These data suggest the mice sent to The Jackson Laboratory Repository were on a mixed C57BL/6J;C57BL/6N genetic background.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(Slc17a6-COP4*H134R/EYFP)2Oki
Name: transgene insertion 2, Ole Kiehn
MGI accession ID: MGI:5314662
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Reporter
Synonyms: Vglut2-ChR2-YFP; vGluT2-YFP
Marker symbol: Tg(Slc17a6-COP4*H134R/EYFP)2Oki
Marker name: transgene insertion 2, Ole Kiehn
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: C57BL/6N
Expressed genes: YFP,Yellow Fluorescent Protein,jellyfish; COP4,Channelrhodopsin,Chlamydomonas
Site of expression: These transgenic mice express channelrhodopsin-2/EYFP fusion protein directed to locomotor regions of the spinal chord and hindbrain.
Molecular note: A bacterial articificial chromosone (BAC) # RPCI23-84M15 containing the mouse Vglut2 gene was modified by the introduction of a human codon-optimized channel rhodopsin (hChR2) and a gain-of-function H134R substitution fused to an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein sequence (EYFP) and inserted to inactivate the Vglut2 gene. Line 2 was generated.