Tg(Flt4-Venus)7Tjl

The bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone RP23-65D23, containing a ~238-kb mouse genomic fragment encompassing the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 4 (Flt4; also called Vegfr3) gene, was modified by insertion of the sequence encoding Venus yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), followed by a polyadenylation signal, immediatedly following the translation initiating ATG in the first exon. The modified BAC was injected into pronuclei of fertilized mouse oocytes. Expression specifically in VEGFR3-expressing cells is demonstrated by the correspondence of YFP fluorescence and immunohistochemical labeling using an anti-VEGFR3 antibody in retinal endothelial tip cells and lymphatic endothelial cells, but not arteries or veins of postnatal mice and of subventricular zone (SVZ) neurons along the striatal wall of the lateral ventricle in adult brain, as well as by selective expression of Flt4 mRNA in FACS-sorted YFP-positive cells of these mice. (J:171610)