Generation of mice with a conditional Stat1 null allele

Transgenic Res. 2012 Feb;21(1):217-24. doi: 10.1007/s11248-011-9519-5. Epub 2011 May 7.

Abstract

Interferons (IFNs) are key cytokines in the innate immune response that also bridge the gap to adaptive immunity. Signaling upon stimulation by IFN type I, II and III is mediated by the Jak-Stat pathway. STAT1 is activated by all three IFN receptor complexes and absence of STAT1 from mice increases their susceptibility to pathogens. In addition, depending on the setting, STAT1 can act as tumor suppressor or oncogene. Here we report the generation and detailed functional characterization of a conditional Stat1 knockout mouse. We show the integrity of the conditional Stat1 locus and report successful in vivo deletion by means of a ubiquitous and a tissue-specific Cre recombinase. The conditional Stat1 null allele represents an important tool for identifying novel and cell-autonomous STAT1 functions in infection and cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Interferon-beta / metabolism
  • Interferon-beta / pharmacology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Liver / physiology
  • Lung / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Phenotype
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Spleen / physiology
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • Tyrosine
  • Serine
  • Interferon-beta
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases