Generation of conditional alleles for Foxc1 and Foxc2 in mice

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Forkhead box transcription factors, Foxc1 and Foxc2, are essential for multiple developmental processes, including eye and cardiovascular formation.
• Previous studies were limited by perinatal lethality in conventional homozygous-null mutations, hindering investigation of cell-type specific and postdevelopmental functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop conditional-null mouse models for Foxc1 and Foxc2 to overcome the limitations of conventional mutations.
• To enable detailed characterization of the cell-type specific and postdevelopmental roles of Foxc1 and Foxc2.

Main Methods:

• Generation of mice with conditional-null Foxc1(flox) and Foxc2(flox) alleles.
• Induction of gene deletion using Cre-mediated recombination.
• Analysis of developmental defects in embryos lacking Foxc1 or Foxc2 expression.

Main Results:

• Conditional alleles retained wild-type function in non-recombined mice, which were viable and fertile.
• Cre-mediated recombination resulted in embryos lacking Foxc1 or Foxc2 expression (Foxc1(Δ/Δ) or Foxc2(Δ/Δ)).
• These embryos exhibited developmental defects identical to those seen in conventional homozygous mutants.

Conclusions:

• The developed conditional mutations provide a powerful tool for studying Foxc1 and Foxc2 functions.
• These models will facilitate research into the cell-type specific roles of Foxc1 and Foxc2 during development, in disease states, and in adult physiology.