An optimized form of reverse tetracycline controlled transactivator (rtTA-M2) was inserted downstream of the Gt(ROSA)26Sor promoter and was followed by a PGK-puro selection cassette. This mutant form of rtTA termed M2 has five amino acid substitutions in the tetR moiety of tTA: S12G, E19G, A56P, D148E and H179R. This mutated form of transactivator protein has increased doxycycline sensitivity. Mice have widespread expression of the rtTA-M2 protein. (J:98920)