Pou5f1 (POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 or Oct4) encodes a transcription factor containing a POU homeodomain that is important in embryonic development. Oct4-rtTA.4 transgenic mice use the Pou5f1 promoter/enhancer sequences to drive expression of an optimized form of the reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator (rtTA*M2) protein. Hemizygotes are viable and fertile. Homozygotes are viable, however, they are not believed to be fertile. A kinky tail phenotype is observed as early as E13.5 in both homozygotes and hemizygotes, it is described as resembling a lightning bolt and segregates with the transgene. When mated to a second transgenic strain carrying a gene of interest under the regulatory control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter element (tetO), expression of the gene of interest may be regulated by the tetracycline analog, doxycycline (dox). In the presence of dox, transcription of the target gene is induced in cells where rtTA is expressed. The donating investigator indicates that Oct4-rtTA.4 transgenic mice express rtTA in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, the endoderm of epiblast, and E7.5 embryo and extra-embryonic tissue, but not in primordial germ cells. The investigators theorize that the BAC, or integration of the transgene, or both, disrupted the germ cell specific interaction of the distal and proximal enhancers leading to restriction of rtTA signal.&nbsp;

Oct4-rtTA.4 transgenic mice use the Pou5f1 (POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 or Oct4) promoter/enhancer sequences to drive expression of an optimized form of the reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator (rtTA*M2) protein. These mice may be useful for the inducible expression of genes in the pre-implantation embryo and epiblast.

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