Fig. 1.
Arch-GFP is expressed in adult-born neurons in Nestin-CreERT2 mice. a The Cre driver line targeted Nestin-expressing neural stem and progenitor cells, which produce dentate granule cells. Immature adult-born granule cells are identified by doublecortin (DCX) expression. Mature granule cells express NeuN but not DCX. b Nestin-CreERT2 mice were crossed with the Ai35D Cre-dependent Archaerhodopsin-eGFP mouse line. TMX administration induces Cre expression in the Nestin+ neural stem/progenitor cells and their subsequent progeny. c Mice were implanted with optic fibers 4 weeks after the end of induction. Vaginal smears and handling started 5 weeks after induction, and CFC began 6 weeks after TMX induction. d Representative images of dorsal and ventral optic fiber implants. e, f Representative images of Arch-eGFP (green), DCX (red), and NeuN (blue) expression. In Cre+ mice, GFP+ neurons were observed in the GCL and subgranular zone of the DG (e, left) but were not present in CA3 (e, middle) or CA1 (e, right). GFP+ cells were not present in Cre– mice (f). Scale bars = 50 μm or 75 μm (inset). g Stereological estimates of the number of DCX+, GFP+, and co-labeled (DCX+/GFP+) cells in the DG 6 weeks after induction. h Percentage of DCX+ and GFP+ neurons co-expressing the other marker. Error bars represent ±1 SEM