This is an historical archive of the activities of the MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit (MRC ANU) that operated at the University of Oxford from 1985 until March 2015. The MRC ANU established a reputation for world-leading research on the brain, for training new generations of scientists, and for engaging the general public in neuroscience. The successes of the MRC ANU are now built upon at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford.

High-level transgene expression in neurons by lentivirus with Tet-Off system.

Neurosci. Res. 2009;63(2):149-54. 10.1016/j.neures.2008.10.010

High-level transgene expression in neurons by lentivirus with Tet-Off system.

Hioki H, Kuramoto E, Konno M, Kameda H, Takahashi Y, Nakano T, Nakamura KC, Kaneko T
Abstract:
We developed novel lentiviral vectors by using "Tet-Off system" and succeeded in achieving high-level and neuron-specific gene transduction in vivo. One week after viral injection into the rat neostriatum, the GFP expression was almost completely neuron-specific and about 40 times higher than the expression of a conventional lentiviral vector. High transcriptional activity and neuronal specificity were sustained for up to 8 weeks. Furthermore, neuronal processes of the infected neurons were efficiently visualized by adding a plasma membrane-targeting signal to GFP. These results suggest that the present method is valuable for strong gene transduction and clear visualization of neurons in vivo.