Pvalb^{tm1.1(tTA2)Hze}

A targeting vector was designed to insert a viral 2A oligopeptide that mediates ribosomal skipping and a modified tetracycline-regulated transactivator (tTA2) gene immediately downstream of the parvalbumin translational STOP codon. Correctly targeted ES cells had (from 5' to 3') a three amino acid linker sequence, an frt3 site, a viral 2A oligopeptide, a synthetic modified tetracycline-regulated transactivator (tTA2S) gene, a translational STOP sequence (TAA codon), an attB site, a PGK-hygromycin-polyA cassette (with an RNA spice donor-frt5 site-RNA spice acceptor in the hygromycin gene), and an attP site. PhiC31 mediated recombination removed the PGK-hygromycin-polyA cassette. Pvalb-2A-tTA2 activates tetO-regulated gene expression in scattered interneuronal populations in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as in neuronal populations in other brain regions, in a pattern that resembles Pvalb expression. Additional reporter gene expression is seen in cortical layer 5 neurons, which are unlikely to be interneurons. (J:158563)