Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection
05:55

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection

Published on: May 7, 2020

Inducible site-specific recombination in myelinating cells

Nathalie H Doerflinger1, Wendy B Macklin, Brian Popko

  • 1Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS, Université Louis Pasteur, Illkirch, France.

Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000)
|December 14, 2002
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a novel inducible gene ablation model in myelinating cells. This system allows researchers to precisely study gene functions in oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell development and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Understanding gene function in myelinating cells is crucial for neurological research.
  • Existing models lack precise temporal and cell-specific gene manipulation capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an inducible system for targeted gene ablation in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.
  • To enable the study of gene function in myelin sheath formation, maintenance, and in pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Cre/loxP recombination system for tissue-specific somatic mutations in mice.
  • Engineered a fusion protein (CreER(T)) for inducible, site-specific recombination.
  • Placed CreER(T) expression under the control of the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) gene promoter.
  • Administered tamoxifen to induce nuclear translocation of CreER(T) and recombination.

Main Results:

  • Successfully generated myelinating cellspecific gene ablation in PLP/CreER(T) mice upon tamoxifen administration.
  • Demonstrated tamoxifen-inducible nuclear translocation of CreER(T) and recombination of a LacZ reporter transgene.
  • Confirmed no recombination in untreated animals, indicating tight regulation of the system.

Conclusions:

  • The PLP/CreER(T) mouse model provides a powerful tool for inducible gene ablation in myelinating cells.
  • This system facilitates the elucidation of gene functions in myelin sheath development and homeostasis.
  • The model is valuable for studying oligodendrocyte function in disease contexts.

More Related Videos

Preparation of the Mgm101 Recombination Protein by MBP-based Tagging Strategy11:40

Preparation of the Mgm101 Recombination Protein by MBP-based Tagging Strategy

Published on: June 25, 2013

Induction and Assessment of Class Switch Recombination in Purified Murine B Cells09:49

Induction and Assessment of Class Switch Recombination in Purified Murine B Cells

Published on: August 13, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation02:53

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Crossing Over01:30

Crossing Over

Crossing over is the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis I. Genetic recombination gives rise to allelic diversity in the newly formed daughter cells. In humans, crossing over produces genetically distinct haploid egg and sperm cells that undergo fertilization to produce unique offspring. Before cell division starts, the germ cell’s chromosome(s) undergo duplication in the S phase of the cell cycle. As the cells enter prophase I, duplicated...
Homologous Recombination02:31

Homologous Recombination

The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...