Basicresearch for visualization of functional neuronal tract by gene transfer into CNS neurons

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

1. The aim of this study is to visualize neuronal tract by expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in neurons of the central nervous system.2. We analyzed transgenic mice that express EGFP under the control of the mouse rhodopsin gene promoter.3. In Western blot analyses of transgenic retinal homogenates, EGFP expression in transgenic retinas was initially detected at P12.4. At P14, fluorescence microscopy showed a weak expression of EGFP in the transgenic retina. In the adult transgenic mice, the strongest EGFP expression was observed in the outer nuclear layer, and to a lesser extent in the outer plexiform layer as well as in the inner and outer segments.5. EGFP expression was also observed in the pineal region, especially in the pineal stalk.6. We produced transgenic mice overexpressing EGFP under the control of GFAP promoter and we detected EGFP expression in their brains.7. We produced transgenic mice overexpressing EGFP under the control of Thy 1.2 promoter.8. Several transgenic mice expressing EGFP in neurons in central nervous system were established in this study. These transgenic mice will be useful to locate neuronal tract in vivo, by precisely determining neuronal cells that are fluorescent green.