The Zebrafish CreZoo: An Easy-to-Handle Database for Novel CreER T2 -Driver Lines

Abstract

Abstract

We report a new open access database, the zebrafish CreZoo (http://crezoo.crt-dresden.de), which contains novel CreER^T2-driver lines that express Cre fused to the mutated human ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (CreER^T2) in several tissues. Recently, the conditional Cre/loxP technology has been added to the toolbox for the precise manipulation of the zebrafish genome, but currently the number of CreER^T2-driver lines is limited. To enlarge the pool of existing CreER^T2-driver lines, we conducted a genome-wide screen using a gene trap cassette comprising a splice acceptor and an mCherry-tagged variant of CreER^T2. All molecular and expression data obtained in this screen are summarized in the CreZoo database, which currently comprises an inventory of about 47 Cre-driver lines expressing CreER^T2 in a cell- and tissue-specific manner during development and adulthood. Combined with other Cre-dependent effector lines, the CreZoo will be a great tool to manipulate the zebrafish genome.