| 研究実績の概要 |
“Barrels” in layer 4 (L4) of mouse somatosensory cortex is a model system for the examination of cortical column development and function. They are established during early postnatal stage in an activity-dependent manner. To understand how neural activity modulates dendritic refinement and cell patterning of barrel cells, we developed vector systems termed "Supernova", which enables high Intensity single-cell labeling and labeled cell-specific gene-manipulation. Briefly, this system synergistically use the tTA/TRE expression system and site-directed recombination system (e.g. Cre/loxP) to enhance the expression of genes of interest only in a sparse population of cells. We demonstrated that multiple genes can be co-expressed in individual cells. And we showed that other types of site-specific recombination systems (e.g. flpe/FRT, Dre/Rox) can also be used. Moreover, we showed that Supernova systems can be used for RNA interference. Thus, the Supernova systems provide powerful tools in various aspects of neuroscience, for elucidation of the neural properties and gene functions in single cell levels.
Using Supernova system, we performed morphological analysis of barrel cells’ dendrites during development, which may provide valuable information for elucidating the mechanisms of development of cortical neural circuit underlying pattern of columnar architecture.
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