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Ptf1a Promoter-Driven Cre Expression During Spermatogenesis Causes Germline Recombination
Jiale Wang1, Oliver Wang1, Yan Bi2
1From the Department of Cancer Biology.
Pancreas
|February 23, 2022
Summary
Ptf1a-Cre mouse lines are crucial for pancreatic research. The Ptf1a-Cre Cvw line, like the Hnak line, exhibits paternal germline recombination due to Cre expression during spermatogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Genomics
- Developmental Biology
- Mouse Models
Background:
- Two Ptf1a-Cre mouse lines, Ptf1atm1(cre)Hnak and Ptf1atm1(Cre)Cvw, are extensively utilized in pancreatic research.
- Previous studies indicated potential paternal recombination issues with the Ptf1atm1(cre)Hnak line.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of paternal germline recombination in the Ptf1atm1(Cre)Cvw mouse line.
- To determine if Ptf1a promoter activity extends to germline tissues.
Main Methods:
- Crossed Ptf1atm1(Cre)Cvw mice with R26-LSL-LacZ reporter mice.
- Analyzed DNA recombination using recombination-specific PCR and X-Gal staining.
- Assessed gene expression via RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Detected R26 locus recombination in the pancreas, testes, and sperm of double transgenic mice.
- Confirmed endogenous Ptf1a promoter activity in testes via ptf1a mRNA expression.
- Observed whole-body recombination in 26.7% of offspring from male double transgenic mice, indicating pre-meiotic recombination.
Conclusions:
- The Ptf1atm1(Cre)Cvw mouse line exhibits paternal germline recombination.
- Ptf1a promoter-driven Cre expression during spermatogenesis precedes meiosis, causing germline recombination.
- Genotyping for recombined alleles is essential when using male Ptf1a-Cre mice in breeding studies.
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