Key result
Generation of Cx40(Cre) mice allowed tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombination throughout the spatio-temporal profile of Cx40 expression in the ventricular conduction system and arterial endothelial cells.
The newly generated Cx40(Cre) mouse line provides a validated tool for directing inducible genetic modifications specifically in Cx40-expressing cells, including the cardiac conduction system and arterial endothelial cells.
New Cx40(Cre) mouse line enables targeted recombination in conduction system and endothelium; extends preclinical tools but leaves clinical translation open.
The Connexin-40 (Cx40) gene encodes a gap junction protein that plays an important role in cell-cell communication in cardiomyocytes of the atria and cardiac conduction system and endothelial cells of large arteries. During embryonic development, Cx40 expression is tightly regulated and correlates with progressive ventricular conduction system (VCS) differentiation and vessel function. We have generated Cx40(Cre) mice carrying a CreERT2-IRESmRFP cassette by targeted recombination. In Cx40(Cre) mice, the pattern of expression of RFP is identical to that of the endogenous Cx40 gene and a Cx40(GFP) allele. Using a LacZ-based Cre reporter mouse line, tamoxifen dependent Cre recombination was observed throughout the spatio-temporal profile of Cx40 expression in the VCS and arterial endothelial cells. Cx40(Cre) mice can therefore be used to direct inducible genetic modification in Cx40 expressing cells.
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Beyer et al. (2010) studied this question. Generation of Cx40(Cre) mice carrying a CreERT2-IRESmRFP cassette was evaluated on Tamoxifen dependent Cre recombination in the spatio-temporal profile of Cx40 expression. Generation of Cx40(Cre) mice allowed tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombination throughout the spatio-temporal profile of Cx40 expression in the ventricular conduction system and arterial endothelial cells.
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