New Mouse Lines that Drive Tetracycline-Controlled Gene Expression in a Small Subset of Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn Neurons

Mouse lines with tetracycline-controlled gene expression in specific neuronal populations provide valuable tools for studying their development, function, connectivity, and pathology in vivo. Our initial goal was to generate a mouse model that could express amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated genes specifically in spinal cord motor neurons under the control of the <i>HB9</i> promoter. However, <i>HB9-tTA</i> mice unexpectedly direct target gene expression in a small subset of dorsal horn neurons. These mice represent a new tool for scientists who are interested in studying these spinal cord neurons.