A New Tool for Conditional Gene Manipulation in a Subset of Keratin-Expressing Epithelia

The study reported the creation and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgene expressing Cre under Megsin regulatory elements. This Megsin-Cre transgene mediated loxP recombination primarily in the skin, forestomach, and esophagus, but not in kidney mesangial cells. In the skin, Cre was expressed in all epidermal layers and hair follicle cells. Conditional deletion of the Adam10 gene using this transgene resulted in severe skin defects and reduced folds and surface area in the forestomach. The Megsin-Cre transgene was proposed as a new tool for conditional genetic manipulation in the skin and upper digestive tract.