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Generation and characterization of Osterix-Cherry reporter mice
Sara Strecker1, Yu Fu, Yaling Liu
1Department of Reconstructive Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000)
|November 28, 2012
Summary
Osterix (Sp7) is crucial for bone development. Osterix-Cherry reporter mice reveal its expression patterns in osteoblasts, osteoprogenitors, chondrocytes, and transiently in kidneys, aiding understanding of skeletal development and regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Osterix (Sp7) is a transcription factor vital for osteoblast differentiation.
- Understanding Osterix's spatiotemporal expression is key to bone biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate and characterize Osterix-Cherry reporter mice.
- To investigate Osterix expression during embryonic and adult skeletal development.
Main Methods:
- Generated transgenic Osterix-Cherry reporter mice using bacterial recombination.
- Analyzed reporter expression in embryonic, neonatal, and adult mice, including crosses with BSP-Topaz mice.
- Examined femur tissue sections and kidney tissues.
Main Results:
- Osterix expression precedes the mature osteoblast marker BSP during development.
- Osterix is expressed broadly in osteoblasts, osteocytes, and potentially early osteoprogenitors.
- Persistent expression in osteoblast lineage and increased expression in growth plate chondrocytes observed.
- Transient neonatal kidney expression detected.
Conclusions:
- Osterix-Cherry mice effectively report Osterix expression patterns.
- Osterix plays a role throughout osteoblast lineage maturation and in chondrocytes.
- Provides insights into skeletal development, regeneration, and potential off-target expression.
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