RT Journal
A1 Pyrski, Martina
A1 Xu, Zheng
A1 Walters, Eric
A1 Gilbert, Debra J.
A1 Jenkins, Nancy A.
A1 Copeland, Neal G.
A1 Margolis, Frank L.
T1 The OMP–lacZ Transgene Mimics the Unusual Expression Pattern of OR-Z6, a New Odorant Receptor Gene on Mouse Chromosome 6: Implication for Locus-Dependent Gene Expression
JF The Journal of Neuroscience 
JO The Journal of Neuroscience 
YR 2001 
FD July 01 
VO 21 
IS 13 
SP 4637 
OP 4648 
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-13-04637.2001 
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/21/13/4637.abstract 
AB Reporter gene expression in the olfactory epithelium of H-lacZ6 transgenic mice mimics the cell-selective expression pattern known for some odorant receptor genes. The transgene construct in these mice consists of the lacZ coding region, driven by the proximal olfactory marker protein (OMP) gene promoter, and shows expression in a zonally confined subpopulation of olfactory neurons. To address mechanisms underlying the odorant receptor-like expression pattern of thelacZ construct, we analyzed the transgene-flanking region and identified OR-Z6, the first cloned odorant receptor gene that maps to mouse chromosome 6. OR-Z6bears the highest sequence similarity (85%) to a human odorant receptor gene at the syntenic location on human chromosome 7. We analyzed the expression pattern of OR-Z6 in olfactory tissues of H-lacZ6 mice and show that it bears strong similarities to that mapped for β-galactosidase. Expression of both genes in olfactory neurons is primarily restricted to the same medial subregion of the olfactory epithelium. Axons from both neuronal subpopulations project to the same ventromedial aspect of the anterior olfactory bulbs. Furthermore, colocalization analyses in H-lacZ6 mice demonstrate thatOR-Z6-reactive glomeruli receive axonal input fromlacZ-positive neurons as well. These results suggest that the expression of both genes is coordinated and that transgene expression in H-lacZ6 mice is regulated by locus-dependent mechanisms.