Visualization of PAX7 protein dynamics in muscle satellite cells in a YFP knock-in-mouse line

Skelet Muscle. 2018 Aug 24;8(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s13395-018-0174-x.

Abstract

Background: Satellite cells are residential muscle stem cells that express a paired box protein, PAX7.

Results: Here, we report a knock-in mouse line expressing a PAX7-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion protein that enables visualization of PAX7 protein dynamics in living satellite cells through YFP fluorescence. The YFP fluorescence signals in Pax7-YFP knock-in mice clearly recapitulated the endogenous expression of PAX7 protein in satellite cells. YFP+ satellite cells were efficiently isolated from muscle tissues by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Homozygous Pax7-YFP knock-in mice (Pax7YFP/YFP) were viable, grew and regenerated muscle normally, and Pax7YFP/YFP mouse-derived satellite cells proliferated, differentiated, and self-renewed as efficiently as those from wild-type (Pax7+/+) mice.

Conclusions: Taken together, our Pax7-YFP mouse line is a useful tool to aid the development of stem-cell-based therapies for muscle diseases.

Keywords: Knock-in mouse; Muscle regeneration; Myogenesis; Pax7; YFP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques / methods*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • PAX7 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • PAX7 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / cytology
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / metabolism*
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / physiology

Substances

  • PAX7 Transcription Factor
  • Pax7 protein, mouse
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins