A simple method for gene expression in endo- and ectodermal cells in mouse embryos before neural tube closure

Abstract

The lack of a widely accessible method for expressing genes of interest in wild-type embryos is a fundamental obstacle to understanding genetic regulation during embryonic development. In particular, only a few methods are available for introducing gene expression vectors into cells prior to neural tube closure, which is a period of drastic development for many tissues. In this study, we present a simple technique for injecting vectors into the amniotic cavity and allowing them to reach the ectodermal cells and the epithelia of endodermal organs of mouse embryos at E8.0 via in utero injection, using only a widely used optical fiber with an illuminator. Using this technique, retroviruses can be introduced to facilitate the labeling of cells in various tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, epidermis, and digestive and respiratory organs. We also demonstrated in utero electroporation of plasmid DNA into E7.0 and E8.0 embryos. Taking advantage of this method, we reveal the association between Ldb1 and the activity of the Neurog2 transcription factor in the mouse neocortex. This technique can aid in analyzing the roles of genes of interest during endo- and ectodermal development prior to neural tube closure.