B6.129S4(Cg)-Mapt^tm1(EGFP)Klt/J

Stock number: 029219
Product name: tauGFP
Research areas: Neurobiology Research, Research Tools

Description

tauGFP knock-in/knock-out mice have an EGFP sequence inserted into the endogenous microtubule-associated protein tau (Mapt) gene. EGFP is detected throughout the developing central nervous system and persists to adult, closely following the expression of neuron specific beta-tubulin III. The expression of cytoplasmic EGFP in the central nervous system of this mutant allows for non-invasive visualization of elongating nerve axons.

Detailed description

tauGFP knock-in/knock-out mice have an EGFP coding sequence inserted into the first exon of the microtubule-associated protein tau (Mapt) gene, disrupting expression of Mapt and producing a cytoplasmic EGFP fused to the first 31 amino acids. No gene product (isoform proteins) is detected in whole brain lysates by Western blot analysis. EGFP signal is detected beginning at 9.0 days post coitum in the trigeminal ganglion and by 10.75 days post coitum fluorescent signal is detected throughout the developing central nervous system. EGFP expression persists to adult and closely patterns the expression of neuron specific beta-tubulin III, as detected by the TuJ1 antibody. The expression of cytoplasmic EGFP in the central nervous system of this mutant allows for non-invasive visualization of elongating nerve axons. Homozygotes are viable and fertile.

In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.

Development

A tauGFP targeting vector was designed to insert an EGFP coding sequence into the first microtubule-associated protein tau (Mapt) exon, disrupting expression of the Mapt gene and producing a cytoplasmic EGFP protein fused to the first 31 MAPT amino acids. The construct was electroporated into 129S4/SvJae-derived J1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts and resulting chimeric mice were crossed to mice carrying a human MAPT transgene on a STOCK background. Mice containing both alleles were crossed to C57BL/6 mice for nine generations by the donating investigator. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, the mice were crossed once more to C57BL/6J inbred mice (Stock No. 000664) and were maintained as Stock No. 005491. Some mice were bred to C57BL/6J and the transgene was bred out of the colony, resulting in this tauGFP colony (Stock No. 029219).

Allele

Symbol: Mapt^tm1(EGFP)Klt
Name: targeted mutation 1, Kerry Lee Tucker
MGI accession ID: MGI:2670768
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Reporter; Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Mapt
Marker name: microtubule-associated protein tau
Chromosome: 11
Strain of origin: 129S4/SvJae
Expressed genes: GFP,Green Fluorescent Protein,
Site of expression: GFP signal is detected beginning a embryonic day 9 in the trigeminal ganglion and throughout the developing central nervous system by embryonic day 10.75. GFP expression persists in adults and closely resembles the expression of neuron specific beta-tubulin III.
Molecular note: Exon 1 was disrupted by the insertion of a cassette encoding the EGFP fluorescent marker gene and a neomycin resistance gene. Fusion protein including EGFP was detected by Western blot analysis of homozygous mutant brain lysates. Fluorescent illumination indicated that expression of the reporter gene was similar to that of the endogenous gene.