Figure 1.

Cre recombinase deletes Ctnnb1 exons 1–6 in neurons expressing the dopamine transporter. (A) Genomic DNAs were prepared from the indicated tissues from a DA-βcat KO adult mouse. PCR analyses show Ctnnb1 deletion (Δloxp) is specific to the olfactory bulb and SN/VTA. Ctnnb1 deletion was not detected in other tissues analyzed. (B) DAT (+) cells and DAT (−) tissue from DA-βcat KO animals were collected with a microdissecting microscope. The recombination band could only be detected in samples containing DAT (+) neurons, indicating that Cre recombinase expression within the SN/VTA is specific to DAT (+) neurons. (C,D) Photomicrographs showing capturing of DAT (+) cells (arrows) and DAT (−) surrounding tissue (arrowheads) for PCR processing.