Hist2h2be (histone cluster 2, H2be) is expressed exclusively in olfactory chemosensory neurons. Expression is reduced by sensory activity, and it promotes neuronal cell death, potentially modulating olfactory neuron population dynamics to adapt the olfactory repertoire to the environment.
These BAC transgenic mice carry a single copy of Flag-tagged Hist2h2be, likely integrated on the X-chromosome. Expression of the Flag-H2be transgene was examined by RT-qPCR in the main olfactory epithelium (MOE), where the expression level of the transgenic allele was found to be identical to that of the endogenous Hist2h2be allele. Expression was also examined by immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization in the MOE, vomeronasal organ, and brain, revealing indistinguishable patterns of expression (or lack of expression, in the case of the brain) for FLAG-H2BE protein and endogenous Hist2h2be mRNA. Males do not efficiently transfer the transgene (see maintenance note for more details).
