Pdgfrb^{tm1.1(cre/ERT2)Csln}

A targeting vector was designed to replace the translation stop codon of the platelet derived growth factor receptor, beta polypeptide (Pdgfrb) gene with a creER fusion gene (a Cre recombinase fused to a human estrogen receptor ligand binding domain) followed by a frt-flanked neomycin resistance (neo) cassette. A viral P2A oligopeptide, from porcine teschovirus-1, was inserted upstream of the creER fusion gene to ribosomal skipping. The construct was electroporated into (C57BL/6J x 129S6/SvEvTac)F1-derived KV1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL6/N blastocysts and resulting chimeric males were bred to Tg(ACTFLPe)9205Dym/J females to remove the neo cassette. These mice express Cre-ER protein in pericytes in the vasculature of organs including brain and retina. Restricted to the cytoplasm, Cre-ER can only gain access to the nuclear compartment after exposure to tamoxifen. (J:263753)