Inducible recombination in the cardiac conduction system of minK: CreERT² BAC transgenic mice

Abstract

Inducible Cre recombination is a powerful technology that allows for spatial and temporal modulation of gene expression in vivo. Diseases of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) pose a significant clinical burden but are not currently well understood at the molecular level. To enable inducible recombination in the murine CCS, we created a minK:CreERT(2) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse line. Cre activity is present after tamoxifen administration in the atrioventricular (AV) node, AV bundle, and bundle branches of adult transgenic mice. We anticipate that by enabling inducible recombination specifically in the AV node, bundle, and bundle branches, minK:CreERT(2) BAC transgenic mice will prove useful in advancing our understanding of CCS disease and function.