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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
22:02
Gene Transfer to the Developing Mouse Inner Ear by In Vivo Electroporation
Published on: June 30, 2012
Conditional and inducible gene recombineering in the mouse inner ear
Yong Tian1, Sally James, Jian Zuo
1Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
Brain Research
|February 21, 2006
Summary
Genetically engineered mice models are crucial for understanding gene function. Developing ear-specific inducible Cre systems in mice overcomes limitations of traditional gene knockout methods for studying inner ear diseases.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Genetically engineered mice are vital for gene function and disease research.
- Traditional knockout methods face limitations with mutant viability.
- The Cre/loxP system offers conditional gene manipulation, but ear-specific inducible systems are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an ear-specific, temporally inducible Cre expression system in mice.
- To overcome limitations of existing Cre lines for inner ear research.
- To enable precise gene abrogation in the mouse inner ear.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Cre/loxP system for conditional gene recombineering in the inner ear.
- Generating murine inner ear-specific Cre lines via conventional transgenesis, BAC transgenesis, and gene knock-in.
- Investigating tamoxifen or tetracycline-inducible systems for temporal control.
Main Results:
- Established three methods for creating inner ear-specific Cre mouse lines.
- Identified limitations in the temporal control of existing Cre systems.
- Highlighted the need for inducible systems to overcome temporal constraints.
Conclusions:
- Conditional gene recombineering in the mouse inner ear requires ear-specific, temporally inducible Cre systems.
- Tamoxifen or tetracycline-inducible systems are necessary for precise temporal control of gene expression.
- Advancements in genetic applications will significantly enhance in vivo gene function studies in the inner ear.
Related Concept Videos
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02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
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The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
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02:32Exon Recombination
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Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
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