Generating somatic mosaicism with a Cre recombinase-microsatellite sequence transgene

Nat Methods. 2008 Mar;5(3):231-3. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.1182. Epub 2008 Feb 10.

Abstract

Strategies for altering constitutional or somatic genotype in mice are well established, but approaches to generate mosaic genotypes in mouse tissues are limited. We showed that a functionally inactive Cre recombinase transgene with a long mononucleotide tract altering the reading frame was stochastically activated in the mouse intestinal tract. We demonstrated the utility of this approach by inducing colonic polyposis after Cre-mediated bi-allelic inactivation of the Apc gene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / etiology
  • Animals
  • Colonic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Colonic Polyps / etiology
  • Female
  • Integrases / genetics*
  • Intestines / enzymology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic / genetics
  • Microsatellite Repeats*
  • Mosaicism*
  • Transgenes*
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases
  • beta-Galactosidase