Tg(Thy1-EGFP)498Cnl

The construct has the sequence of a membrane associated EGFP (EGFP-F) under control of the Thy1 promoter. A transcriptional STOP cassette flanked by loxP sites is inserted between the promoter and EGFP coding region, requiring that cre-mediated excision takes place to activate the reporter. Linearized DNA was injected in pronuclei of C57BL/6 oocytes. Ten lines were created. Founders were crossed to cre-expressing mice to assess expression patterns. Line TLG 498 showed EGFP expression in >90% of pyramidal neurons in the neocortex and hippocampus. This line (first line produced that demonstrated good expression levels) was utilized to obtain most quantitative data presented. Line 1157 (produced at a later time) expressed EGFP-F in all pyramidal neurons and due to higher expression levels was utilized mainly for in vivo and in vitro imaging experiments. (J:139674)