Inducible and tissue-specific cell labeling in Cre-ERT2 transgenic Xenopus lines

This study focuses on developing genetic tools for cell lineage tracing in Xenopus laevis, specifically using the Cre-ERT2/loxP system. The goal is to label cells in a time-specific and tissue-specific manner to understand cell behavior during development and regeneration. The researchers created transgenic Xenopus lines with the Cre-ERT2/loxP system, enabling conditional labeling of cells upon treatment with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT). This allows for temporal control of cell labeling. The study demonstrates successful conditional and tissue-specific cell labeling in stable transgenic Xenopus lines, providing a valuable tool for studying development and regeneration in this model organism.

• 1
  CAG promoter-driven Cre-ERT2/loxP system showed conditional labeling of muscle, epidermal, and interstitial cells in tadpole tails and froglet legs upon 4OHT treatment.
• 2
  Optimized 4OHT treatment improved labeling efficiency in Prrx1:CreER lines from 12.0% to 32.9%.
• 3
  Prrx1:CreER lines labeled cells in the brain, spinal cord, head dermis, and fibroblasts in the tail.