Kiss1^{tm1.1(cre/EGFP)Stei}

A targeting vector was designed to insert a CreGFP fusion protein cassette and frt-flanked neomycin (neo) selection cassette upstream of the 5' translation start of the KiSS-1 metastasis-suppressor (Kiss1) targeted gene. Specifically, this targeting vector contained an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and a Cre recombinase. This construct was electroporated into F1 hybrid (129S6/SvEvTac x C57BL/6NCr)-derived G4 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts and chimeric males were bred with C57BL/6 females. These Kiss1-CreGFP mice were bred with FLPe mice (on a C57BL/6 congenic background) to remove the neo selection cassette. When Kiss1 is induced, EGFP immunofluorescence is observed in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) of both sexes and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) in females. Homozygotes are often infertile, but heterozygotes display normal fertility. (J:178519, J:178520)