5-HT neuron-specific transgene expression in TPH2-tTA/Ptet-nLacZ mice.

<p>Exemplary results from TPH2-tTA line L62-20 mated with Ptet-nLacZ mice to generate double-transgenic TPH2-tTA/Ptet-nLacZ mice which never received Dox. Adult mice (P90) were sacrificed and analyzed with X-Gal staining and IHC. (A,C,E) Without Dox administration, X-Gal staining of coronal sections of brain stem and midbrain showed intense βgal activity in the raphe nuclei where 5-HT neurons reside. (B,D,F) Dual-label fluorescence IHC with βgal and 5-HT neuron-specific TPH2 antibodies. Co-labelling indicates 5-HT neuron-specific βgal transgene expression. IHC confirmed that βgal expression occurred tissue-specifically in the majority of all 5-HT neurons (B,D,F). Grey arrowheads show scarce βgal-negative TPH2+5-HT neurons. Scale bars: 100 µm.