Conditional Targeting: Inducible Deletion by Cre Recombinase

Tissue specific gene knockouts using Cre recombinase can have broad applicability in murine disease models of cardiovascular disease. The Cre system has been shown to have broad experimental versatility for both temporal and spatial control of gene deletion. By and large this is achieved by first generating mice with an inducible tissue specific promoter for expression of Cre. These mice can then be crossed with a second line of mice where the gene of interest in ‘knocked in’ flanked by Cre recognition sequences Lox-P sites. The double transgenic lines are then induced, through administration of an exogenous agent, to allow tissue specific, i.e. cardiac, knockout of the gene of interest at the desired time. An experimental protocol delineating this technique is described in the chapter.