Spatio-temporal control of targeted gene expression in combination with CRISPR/Cas and Tet-On systems in Medaka

Genesis. 2024 Feb;62(1):e23519. doi: 10.1002/dvg.23519. Epub 2023 May 25.

Abstract

Spatial and temporal control of transgene expression is a powerful approach to understand gene functions in specific cells and tissues. The Tet-On system is a robust tool for controlling transgene expression spatially and temporally; however, few studies have examined whether this system can be applied to postembryonic stages of Medaka (Oryzias latipes) or other fishes. Here, we first improved a basal promoter sequence on the donor vector for a nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)-based knock-in (KI) system. Next, using transgenic Medaka for establishing the Tet-On system by KI, we demonstrated that doxycycline administration for four or more days by feeding can be a stable and efficient method to achieve expression of the transduced reporter gene in adult fish. From these analyses, we propose an optimized approach for a spatio-temporal gene-expression system in the adult stage of Medaka and other small fishes.

Keywords: basal promoter; donor vector; doxycycline; fish; genome editing; transgenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Gene Expression
  • Oryzias* / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic