The robust, high-throughput, and temporally regulated roxCre and loxCre reporting systems for genetic modifications in vivo

Abstract

Cre-loxP technology, a cornerstone in fate mapping and in vivo gene function studies, faces challenges in achieving precise and efficient conditional mutagenesis through inducible systems. In this study, we introduce two innovative genetic tools designed to overcome these limitations. The first, loxCre, facilitates conditional gene targeting by allowing any CreER line to induce Cre expression with significantly enhanced efficiency. The second, roxCre, enables DreER-mediated Cre release, paving the way for intersectional genetic manipulation that permits both increased precision and efficiency. Both tools incorporate a fluorescent reporter for genetic lineage tracing, revealing efficient gene knockout in cells marked by the reporter simultaneously. These strategies hold great potential for precise and efficient exploration of lineage-specific gene functions, marking a significant advancement in genetic research methodologies.