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A sequence upstream of the mouse blue visual pigment gene directs blue cone-specific transgene expression in mouse retinas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

M. Isabel Chiu  and
Jeremy Nathans
M. Isabel Chiu
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
Jeremy Nathans
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Departments of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
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Abstract

A 6.4–kb sequence upstream of the mouse blue visual pigment gene has been assayed in transgenic mice for the ability to direct cell-type-specific expression of a linked β-galactosidase (lacZ) reporter. The construct is expressed specifically in cone photoreceptors in three independent lines. Transgene expression is found in the developing retina on the first postnatal day, increases rapidly in subsequent days, and persists through adulthood. A gradient of transgene expression is observed across the retina, with the transgene-expressing cones found almost exclusively in the lower retina and rarely in the upper retina, a pattern that parallels the distribution of blue cones in the mouse retina. Double-labeling with anti-cone pigment antibodies shows that transgene expression is confined to blue cones. These results imply that all of the sequence elements necessary for the control of blue cone-specific expression are encoded within the 6.4–kb DNA fragment tested.

Keywords

RetinaBlue-cone pigment promoterPhotoreceptor-specific expressionGradient of transgene expression
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , July 1994 , pp. 773 - 780
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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