Tg(Cdkn2a-CASP8*,-EGFP)3Jvd

A mouse p16-INK4a (Cdkn2a) promoter drives expression of human caspase 8 fused to serial FKBPv (Phe36Val mutant FKBP) dimerization domains. A myristoylation site was included to provide membrane attachment for the caspase 8/FKBP fusion protein. An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) followed by an open reading frame (ORF) coding for enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) follows the caspase 8/FKBP fusion protein encoding sequences. Expression of the fusion protein under the control of the Cdkn2a adipocyte specific promoter, together with treatment to induce dimerization of the FKBP domains, results in widespread apoptosis of in senescent, but not non-senescent cells. Two lines were generated. Line 3 contains 13 copies of the transgene inserted into a single locus. (J:178299)