Rosa26-CAG-KikGR Mouse

This strain is a fluorescently labeled model carrying a photoconvertible green-to-red fluorescent protein (KikGR) reporter gene expression element, with the expression of KikGR protein regulated by the CAG promoter. KikGR fluorescent protein is suitable for cell labeling and lineage tracing. KikGR protein’s photoconversion is instant and efficient, and it shows almost no toxicity when highly expressed in ES cells, making KikGR the fluorescent protein of choice for use in ES cells and mouse embryos ^[1]. The CAG promoter is constructed by integrating the chicken β-actin gene promoter, the cytomegalovirus (CMV) early enhancer, the rabbit β-actin gene splice acceptor, and the bovine globin polyA signal, known for its strong and stable real-time gene expression in various mammalian cells, making it a popular choice for driving gene expression in transgenic models.

Rosa26-CAG-KikGR mice are constructed by integrating the CAG promoter-Kozak-KikGR-rBG pA gene expression cassette into intron 1 of the mouse Rosa26 safe harbor locus using gene editing technology. KikGR protein is systemically expressed in the mice.