Gene Expression profiling of transgenic mice expressing the genetically encoded calcium indicator TN-XXL in muscle and brain tissues

Engineering of genetically encoded calcium indicators predominantly focused on optimizing fluorescence changes, but effects of indicator expression on host organisms have largely not been addressed. Here, we report biocompatibility and wide-spread functional expression of the genetically encoded calcium indicator TN-XXL in a transgenic mouse model. To validate the model and to characterize potential effects of indicator expression we assessed both indicator function and a variety of host parameters such as anatomy, physiology, behavior and gene expression profiles in these mice. We also demonstrate the usefulness of primary cell types and organ explants prepared from these mice for imaging applications. While we do find mild signatures of indicator expression that may guide further indicator development the green indicator mice generated provide a well characterized resource of primary cells and tissues for in vitro and in vivo calcium imaging applications.

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Direnberger S, Mues M, Micale V, Wotjak CT, Dietzel S, Schubert M, Scharr A, Hassan S, Wahl-Schott C, Biel M, Krishnamoorthy G, Griesbeck O