STOCK Tg(Gnrh1-cre)1Dlc/J

Stock number: 021207
Research areas: Endocrine Deficiency Research, Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

In this transgenic strain, the mouse Gnrh1 (gonadotropin releasing hormone 1; also known as Lhrh) promoter drives expression of cre recombinase in GNRH1-expressing neurons. These mice may be useful in studies of this neurohormone of reproduction.

Detailed description

Neurons that synthesize and secrete Gnrh1 (gonadotropin releasing hormone 1; also known as Lhrh) integrate and control peripheral and central aspects of reproduction, including the onset of puberty. The hormone is produced by a small and diffuse population of neurons scattered in the rostral hypothalamus and medial preoptic area (MPOA) and in the basal forebrain, including the septum and diagonal band of Broca.

In this transgenic strain, the mouse Gnrh1 promoter drives tissue-specific expression of cre recombinase in GNRH1-expressing neurons. When these mice are bred with mice containing a loxP-flanked sequence, Cre-mediated recombination results in deletion of the floxed sequences in the Cre recombinase-expressing tissues of the offspring. Homozygotes are viable and fertile and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities.

When crossed with Gt(ROSA)26Sor^tm1(EYFP)Cos mutant mice (see Stock No. 006148) GNRH1-expressing neurons also express EYFP. Injection of conditional pseudorabies virus (e.g. PRV Ba2001 carrying a floxed stop EGFP) can alternatively be used to identify neuronal networks associated with the gene.

Development

A Cre-containing cassette including a nuclear localization signal and poly A sequence was inserted into the start codon of the Gnrh1 gene by homologous recombination of BAC RP23-22J8. This BAC includes 137 kb of 5' upstream and 73 kb downstream sequences around the Gnrh1 coding sequences. The transgenic vector was introduced to B6CBAF1 embryos and the strain was maintained on mixed C57BL/6 genetic background by the donating laboratory.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(Gnrh1-cre)1Dlc
Name: transgene insertion 1, Catherine Dulac
MGI accession ID: MGI:3691288
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Recombinase-expressing
Marker symbol: Tg(Gnrh1-cre)1Dlc
Marker name: transgene insertion 1, Catherine Dulac
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: (C57BL/6 x CBA)F1
Expressed genes: cre,cre recombinase,bacteriophage P1
Site of expression: Cre recombinase is expressed in neurons that produce gonadotropin releasing hormone 1 (GNRH1). These neurons are scattered in the rostral hypothalamus and medial preoptic area and in the basal forebrain, including the septum and diagonal band of Broca.
Molecular note: A cre-containing cassette including a nuclear localization signal and a polyadenylation sequence was inserted into the start codon of the LHRH gene by homologous recombination of the BAC, RP23-22J8 which includes 137 kb of 5' upstream and 73 kb downstream sequences around the LHRH coding sequence of the BAC. The modified BAC was then used to create transgenic mice.