Article

Pitx2 deletion in pituitary gonadotropes is compatible with gonadal development, puberty, and fertility.

Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0618, USA.
genesis (impact factor: 2.53). 10/2008; 46(10):507-14. DOI:10.1002/dvg.20398
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT This report introduces a gonadotrope-specific cre transgenic mouse capable of ablating floxed genes in mature pituitary gonadotropes. Initial analysis of this transgenic line, Tg(Lhb-cre)1Sac, reveals that expression is limited to the pituitary cells that produce luteinizing hormone beta, beginning appropriately at e17.5. Cre activity is detectable by a reporter gene in nearly every LHbeta-producing cell, but the remaining hormone-producing cell types and other organs exhibit little to no activity. We used the Tg(Lhb-cre)1Sac strain to assess the role Pitx2 in gonadotrope function. The gonadotrope-specific Pitx2 knockout mice exhibit normal expression of LHbeta, sexual maturation, and fertility, suggesting that Pitx2 is not required for gonadotrope maintenance or for regulated production of gonadotropins.

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Keywords

ablating floxed genes
 
gonadotrope-specific cre transgenic mouse capable
 
gonadotrope-specific Pitx2 knockout mice exhibit normal expression
 
Initial analysis
 
LHbeta
 
LHbeta-producing cell
 
mature pituitary gonadotropes
 
organs exhibit
 
produce luteinizing hormone beta
 
remaining hormone-producing cell types
 
reporter gene
 
sexual maturation
 
Tg(Lhb-cre)1Sac
 
Tg(Lhb-cre)1Sac strain
 

Michael A Charles