MTurq2-Col4a1 Mouse Model Allows for Live Visualization of Mammalian Basement Membrane Development

    December 2023 in “ ˜The œjournal of cell biology/˜The œJournal of cell biology ”
    Rebecca A. Jones, Brandon Trejo, Parijat Sil, Katherine A. Little, H. Amalia Pasolli, Bradley Joyce, Eszter Pósfai, Danelle Devenport
    Image of study
    TLDR The mTurq2-Col4a1 mouse model shows how the basement membrane develops in live mammals.
    The study introduces an mTurq2-Col4a1 mouse model that enables live visualization of basement membrane (BM) dynamics in mammalian tissues. This model uses the mTurquoise2 fluorescent protein to tag the Col4a1 gene, allowing researchers to observe BM formation and remodeling in real-time. Key findings include the pliability of the BM during cell division and hair follicle morphogenesis, and the high stability of collagen IV within the BM, even during rapid developmental stages. The model provides a valuable tool for studying BM dynamics, with significant implications for understanding tissue development and disease.
    Discuss this study in the Community →