DOI: 10.1073/pnas.221303298. A conditional tissue-specific transgene expression system using inducible GAL4

A conditional tissue-specific transgene expression system using inducible GAL4

10.1073/pnas.221303298

Crossref journal-article

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (341)

Abstract

In Drosophila , the most widely used system for generating spatially restricted transgene expression is based on the yeast GAL4 protein and its target upstream activating sequence (UAS). To permit temporal as well as spatial control over UAS-transgene expression, we have explored the use of a conditional RU486-dependent GAL4 protein (GeneSwitch) in Drosophila . By using cloned promoter fragments of the embryonic lethal abnormal vision gene or the myosin heavy chain gene, we have expressed GeneSwitch specifically in neurons or muscles and show that its transcriptional activity within the target tissues depends on the presence of the activator RU486 (mifepristone). We used available UAS-reporter lines to demonstrate RU486-dependent tissue-specific transgene expression in larvae. Reporter protein expression could be detected 5 h after systemic application of RU486 by either feeding or “larval bathing.” Transgene expression levels were dose-dependent on RU486 concentration in larval food, with low background expression in the absence of RU486. By using genetically altered ion channels as reporters, we were able to change the physiological properties of larval bodywall muscles in an RU486-dependent fashion. We demonstrate here the applicability of GeneSwitch for conditional tissue-specific expression in Drosophila , and we provide tools to control pre- and postsynaptic expression of transgenes at the larval neuromuscular junction during postembryonic life.

Bibliography

Osterwalder, T., Yoon, K. S., White, B. H., & Keshishian, H. (2001). A conditional tissue-specific transgene expression system using inducible GAL4. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98(22), 12596â12601.

Authors 4

Thomas Osterwalder (first)
Kenneth S. Yoon (additional)
Benjamin H. White (additional)
Haig Keshishian (additional)

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Dates

Type	When
Created	23 years, 1 month ago (July 26, 2002, 10:37 a.m.)
Deposited	3 years, 4 months ago (April 13, 2022, 9:01 a.m.)
Indexed	2 days, 22 hours ago (Aug. 29, 2025, 6:08 a.m.)
Issued	23 years, 10 months ago (Oct. 23, 2001)
Published	23 years, 10 months ago (Oct. 23, 2001)
Published Online	23 years, 10 months ago (Oct. 23, 2001)
Published Print	23 years, 10 months ago (Oct. 23, 2001)

Funders 0

None

BibTeX

@article{Osterwalder_2001, title={A conditional tissue-specific transgene expression system using inducible GAL4}, volume={98}, ISSN={1091-6490}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.221303298}, DOI={10.1073/pnas.221303298}, number={22}, journal={Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, publisher={Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, author={Osterwalder, Thomas and Yoon, Kenneth S. and White, Benjamin H. and Keshishian, Haig}, year={2001}, month=oct, pages={12596–12601} }

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