Col1a2-iCre Mouse

The COL1A2 gene encodes the pro-alpha2 chain of type I collagen, which forms a triple helical structure composed of two α1 chains and one α2 chain. Type I collagen is a fibrous protein widely present in most connective tissues, particularly in the extracellular matrix of bone, cornea, dermis, and tendons. It plays a crucial role in providing support and structural integrity within the extracellular matrix and is involved in various biological processes, including cell migration, cell adhesion, and cell signaling. Mutations in the COL1A2 gene have been linked to several disorders, including types I-IV osteogenesis imperfecta, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIIB, classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, idiopathic osteoporosis, and atypical Marfan syndrome.

The Col1a2-iCre mice are constructed by integrating the codon-improved Cre recombinase (iCre) element into the stop codon of the mouse Col1a2 gene to mimic its expression pattern. When Col1a2-iCre mice are crossed with mice containing loxP sites, the offspring can undergo sequence recombination between loxP sites mediated by the Cre recombinase in fibroblast cells. This Cre mouse exhibits spontaneous tail curling.