CD4-Cre refers to a specific type of genetically engineered mouse. These mice are valuable tools for studying gene function in specific immune cells.
CD4-Cre Transgenic Mice Explained
CD4-Cre transgenic mice are engineered to express Cre recombinase in cells that express the CD4 protein. This is achieved by incorporating genetic elements that control the expression of the Cre gene.
- Key Components: These mice contain CD4 enhancer, promoter, and silencer sequences that drive the expression of a Cre recombinase gene (reference date: 19-Jan-2024).
How it Works: Cre-Lox System
The Cre gene encodes an enzyme called Cre recombinase. This enzyme recognizes specific DNA sequences called LoxP sites.
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Conditional Gene Knockout: Researchers can use CD4-Cre mice to "knock out" or inactivate genes specifically in CD4-expressing cells. This is done by breeding the CD4-Cre mice with mice that have a target gene flanked by LoxP sites (floxed gene).
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Cell-Specific Gene Manipulation: In cells expressing CD4 and, therefore, Cre recombinase, the Cre enzyme will recognize the LoxP sites and remove the DNA sequence between them, effectively inactivating the floxed gene only in those cells.
Applications
These mice are particularly useful for generating conditional mutations in CD4-expressing tissues (reference date: 19-Jan-2024). This allows researchers to study the role of specific genes in CD4+ T cells and other CD4-expressing cells in various biological processes, such as:
- Immune responses
- T cell development
- Autoimmune diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Cancer immunology
In summary
CD4-Cre mice provide a powerful tool for cell-specific gene manipulation. They are created by incorporating CD4 enhancer, promoter and silencer sequences driving the expression of a Cre recombinase gene (reference date: 19-Jan-2024). This allows researchers to study gene function in CD4-expressing cells in a highly targeted manner.
