Gnb4^{tm1.1(cre/ERT2)Hze}

The targeting vector contained, from 5' to 3', a partial Gnb4 sequence spanning intron 6 through intron 9 and part of exon 10 (including the endogenous stop codon), an internal ribosome entry site 2 (IRES2) sequence (allows translation initiation in the middle of an mRNA sequence), a CreERT2 fusion gene (Cre-ERT2; Cre recombinase fused to a G400V/M543A/L544A triple mutation of the human estrogen receptor ligand binding domain), a bovine growth hormone polyA sequence, an AttB site, a PGK promoter-Neomycin resistance gene-PGK polyA cassette, an frt5 site, an mRNA splice acceptor sequence, the 3' portion of the hygromycin gene (Hygro2) with SV40 polyA signal, and an AttP site. This targeting vector was electroporated into G4 ES cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into recipient blastocysts. The resulting chimeric animals were bred to PhiC31-expressing mice to delete the AttB/AttP-flanked sequences and replace it with the recombined AttB/AttP site (AttL). The tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase activity is enriched in restricted populations within cortical subplate (claustrum and endopiriform nucleus) and layers 5/6 of lateral areas of cortex. Expression is also observed in some vascular cells. (J:146821)