Dual reporter genes enabling cell tracing with viable and reliable selection of various cell types.

Biotechnology letters2006PMID: 16614914

Plain Language Summary

Researchers constructed dual reporter genes using the Talpha1 tubulin promoter to track neuron-specific gene expression in various cell types including differentiating embryonic stem cells. This molecular biology tool enables visualization and selection of neuronal cells for transplantation and lineage studies, though the Talpha1 refers to the tubulin promoter rather than the thymosin alpha-1 peptide.

Abstract

Dual reporter genes driven by either a ubiquitous cytomegalovirus (CMV) or a neuro-specific tubulin alpha1 promoter (Talpha1) were constructed. The new genes, CMV (pCMV-GL) or Talpha1 promoter-driven GFP-LacZ (pTalpha1-GL), robustly expressed the fused GFP-LacZ protein reporting constitutive expressions in various cell types including CHO cells, loach and chicken embryos, and neuro-specific expression in differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells, respectively. The dual reporter genes thus provide a versatile tool for the studies of gene expression, cell lineage within the embryo and possibly the fate of stem cells in transplantation experiment, thus facilitating different analyses depending on the experimental purposes.

Authors

Hwang, C N; Hong, S; Choi, S S; Lee, K S; Park, S S; Lee, S H