A Hoxa13:Cre mouse strain for conditional gene manipulation in developing limb, hindgut, and urogenital system. Issue 6 (30th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scotti, Martina; Kherdjemil, Yacine; Roux, Marine; Kmita, Marie
• Is Part Of: Genesis. Volume 53:Issue 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 376
• Publication Date: 2015-05-30
• Subjects: Developmental genetics -- Periodicals; Genetics -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Embryology -- Periodicals; Genetic regulation -- Periodicals; 576.5
• DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-954X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>SUMMARY</title> <p>The developing limb is a useful model for studying organogenesis and developmental processes. Although Cre alleles exist for conditional loss‐ or gain‐of‐function in limbs, Cre alleles targeting specific limb subdomains are desirable. Here we report on the generation of the <italic>Hoxa13:Cre</italic> line, in which the Cre gene is inserted in the endogenous <italic>Hoxa13</italic> gene. We provide evidence that the Cre is active in embryonic tissues/regions where the endogenous <italic>Hoxa13</italic> gene is expressed. Our results show that cells expressing <italic>Hoxa13</italic> in developing limb buds contribute to the entire autopod (hand/feet) skeleton and validate <italic>Hoxa13</italic> as a distal limb marker as far as the skeleton is concerned. In contrast, in the limb musculature, Cre‐based fate mapping shows that almost all muscle masses of the zeugopod (forearm) and part of the triceps contain <italic>Hoxa13‐</italic>expressing cells and/or their descendants. Besides the limb, the activity of the Cre is detectable in the urogenital system and the hindgut, primarily in the epithelium and smooth muscles. Together our data show that the <italic>Hoxa13</italic>:Cre allele is a useful tool for conditional gene manipulation in the urogenital system, posterior digestive tract, autopod and part of the limb musculature. genesis 53:366–376, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </abstract>