Tg(Serpinb7-icre)1Fech

A BAC clone containing only the Serpinb7 (Megsin) gene was modifed by recombineering methods to generate the construct. The first coding exon was replaced with the sequence encoding codon-improved cre recombinase (icre) fused to a nuclear localization signal (nls) with a Myc tag. An FRT-flanked ampicillin selection cassette was also inserted. Transient FLP expression in bacterial cells removed the amp cassette from the construct. The final construct was purified, sequenced and injected into pronuclei of fertilized oocytes to generate transgenic mice. One fertile founder was identified and cre specificity was assessed by crossing the line to reporter animals. Recombination was observed in the epidermal layers of the skin and hair follicles, and epithelium of forestomach, and esophagus, but, unexpectedly, activity was not observed in kidney mesangial cells. (J:191899)