This technology is a genetically engineered D1-Cre knock-in mouse line that enables precise, cell-type-specific manipulation of D1 receptor-expressing neurons within the basal ganglia to study motor control and neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms.
Current transgenic mouse models used to study basal ganglia function often rely on bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) constructs, which can lead to inconsistent gene expression across generations. These expression mismatches limit experimental precision and can complicate the interpretation of circuit-specific manipulations. A more accurate genetic model is necessary to ensure that gene expression aligns with endogenous regulatory elements, enabling reproducible, cell-type-specific studies of basal ganglia function and dysfunction.
This technology is a knock-in mouse model that uses a CRISPR-Cas9-based strategy to insert a Cre recombinase sequence downstream of the endogenous D1 receptor (Drd1) gene, linked by a T2A self-cleaving peptide to preserve native receptor expression. This results in Cre expression precisely mirroring endogenous D1 receptor expression, enabling specific genetic access to D1 receptor-expressing neurons within the basal ganglia.
This technology has been validated through histological and electrophysiological analyses to confirm recombinase activity and expected physiological properties in D1-expressing neurons.