| First Author | Zhou CC | Year | 2012 |
| Journal | PLoS One | Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | e29236 |
| PubMed ID | 22363401 | Mgi Jnum | J:185323 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5428107 | Doi | 10.1371/journal.pone.0029236 |
| Citation | Zhou CC, et al. (2012) Targeted expression of Cre recombinase provokes placental-specific DNA recombination in transgenic mice. PLoS One 7(2):e29236 |
| abstractText | BACKGROUND: Inadequate placental development is associated with a high incidence of early embryonic lethality and serious pregnancy disorders in both humans and mice. However, the lack of well-defined trophoblast-specific gene regulatory elements has hampered investigations regarding the role of specific genes in placental development and fetal growth. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By random assembly of placental enhancers from two previously characterized genes, trophoblast specific protein alpha (Tpbpa) and adenosine deaminase (Ada), we identified a chimeric Tpbpa/Ada enhancer that when combined with the basal Ada promoter provided the highest luciferase activity in cultured human trophoblast cells, in comparison with non-trophoblast cell lines. We used this chimeric enhancer arrangement to drive the expression of a Cre recombinase transgene in the placentas of transgenic mice. Cre transgene expression occurred throughout the placenta but not in maternal organs examined or in the fetus. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, we have provided both in vitro and in vivo evidence for a novel genetic system to achieve placental transgene expression by the use of a chimeric Tpbpa/Ada enhancer driven transgene. The availability of this expression vector provides transgenic opportunities to direct the production of desired proteins to the placenta. |
