Gene tracking

Gene tracers are an important application for genetically engineered mice. Through gene knock-in, exogenous tracer genes were knocked into endogenous genes, enabling labeling and tracing of genes.

They can be used to achieve the following three objectives:

Protein subcellular localization

Reporter genes can be knocked into the 3' end of endogenous genes for fusion expression with endogenous genes. The subcellular localization of the endogenous protein can be determined by observing the location of the reporter gene, as shown in the following figure:

Proteins expression profile

Reporter genes can be knocked into the 3' end of endogenous genes for labeling of endogenous genes or for substituted gene expression. The expression status of endogenous proteins can be determined by observing the expression of the reporter gene, such as whether the protein is expressed, expression levels, and distribution of expressing tissues, as shown in the following figure:

Genetic lineage tracing

The Rosa26-LSL-reporter knockin mice were mated with mice that have CreER driven by specific cell marker genes so that specific cell types in offspring mice are permanently labeled with reporter fluorescence. This enables the tracking of specific cells and the proliferation, differentiation and migration of all of their progeny through fluorescence signals and is an effective method for understanding cell fate,tissue development, homeostasis, and disease. See the following figure:

Application cases

• Enhancing the precision of genetic lineage tracing using dual recombinases

Relevant articles on lineage tracing

• Genetic Fate Mapping Defines the Vascular Potential of Endocardial Cells in the Adult Heart  Circ Res（2018）

• Enhancing the precision of genetic lineage tracing using dual recombinases  Nat Med（2017） 

• Fibroblasts in an endocardial fibroelastosis disease model mainly originate from mesenchymal derivatives of epicardium  Cell Res（2017）

• Identification of a hybrid myocardial zone in the mammalian heart after birth.  Nat Commun（2017）

• Preexisting endothelial cells mediate cardiac neovascularization after injury  J Clin Invest（2017）

• Mfsd2a+ hepatocytes repopulate the liver during injury and regeneration  Nat Commun（2016）

• Endocardium Minimally Contributes to Coronary  Endothelium in the Embryonic Ventricular Free Walls  Circ Res（2016）

• Genetic lineage tracing identifies endocardial origin of liver vasculature  Nat Genet（2016）

• Endocardium Contributes to Cardiac Fat  Circ Res（2016）

• Genetic lineage tracing identifies in situ Kit-expressing cardiomyocytes  Cell Res（2016）

• c-kit(+) cells adopt vascular endothelial but not epithelial cell fates during lung maintenance and repair  Nat Med（2015）

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