Cre-mediated recombination in the pituitary gland

Organ-specific expression of a cre recombinase transgene allows for the ana lysis of gene function in a particular tissue or cell type, Using a 4.6 kb promoter from the mouse glycoprotein hormone or-subunit (alpha GSU or Cga) gene, we have generated and characterized a line of transgenic mice that ex press cre recombinase in the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituita ry gland. Utilizing a cre-responsive reporter transgene, alpha GSU-cre tran sgene expression was detected in the pituitary primordium and in all five c ell types of the adult anterior pituitary, alpha GSU-cre transgene activity was also detected in the cardiac and skeletal muscle. Little or no activit y was evident in the gonads, adrenal glands, brain, ventromedial hypothalam us, or kidneys. The alpha GSU-cre transgenic mice characterized here will b e a valuable tool for examining gene function in the pituitary gland, (C) 2 000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.