Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, responsible for converting tyrosine to L-dopa, a critical step in the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. This gene is predominantly expressed in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, as well as in adrenal chromaffin cells and sympathetic neurons. Its function is essential for neurotransmission, motor control, and stress responses, with abnormalities linked to Parkinson’s disease (degeneration of dopaminergic neurons), schizophrenia, and mood disorders. In immunohistochemical assays, TH serves as a key marker for identifying catecholaminergic neurons and neuroendocrine tumors (e.g., pheochromocytoma). The Th-IRES-iCre mice are constructed by integrating an IRES-iCre expression cassette into the endogenous mouse Th gene via gene editing technology, enabling expression of the iCre recombinase (a codon-optimized Cre recombinase) under the control of the Th gene regulatory elements. The expression pattern of iCre recombinase is similar to that of the endogenous Th gene. When Th-IRES-iCre mice are crossed with mice containing loxP sites, sequence recombination between loxP sites mediated by Cre recombinase is predicted to occur in dopaminergic neurons in the nervous system of the offspring mice.

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, responsible for converting tyrosine to L-dopa, a critical step in the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. This gene is predominantly expressed in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, as well as in adrenal chromaffin cells and sympathetic neurons. Its function is essential for neurotransmission, motor control, and stress responses, with abnormalities linked to Parkinson’s disease (degeneration of dopaminergic neurons), schizophrenia, and mood disorders. In immunohistochemical assays, TH serves as a key marker for identifying catecholaminergic neurons and neuroendocrine tumors (e.g., pheochromocytoma). The Th-IRES-CreERT2 mice are generated via gene editing to integrate a tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 recombinase expression cassette into the endogenous mouse Th gene. Without tamoxifen treatment, CreERT2 recombinase primarily localizes to the cytoplasm; nuclear translocation and recombination activity occur only upon tamoxifen stimulation. When Th-IRES-CreERT2 mice are crossed with mice containing loxP sites, tamoxifen induction is expected to drive Cre-mediated recombination between loxP sites in dopaminergic neurons of the nervous system in offspring mice.

Th is located on chromosome 7 of mice. Nuclease Technology will be used to design sgRNA; Th knockout mice will be obtained by applying high-throughput electroporation of fertilized eggs. After sexual maturity, sperm were collected for cryopreservation.

Th is located on chromosome 7 of mice. SgRNA and ssDNA were designed using Nuclease Technology; Th conditional knockout mice were obtained by high-throughput electroporation of fertilized eggs. After sexual maturity, sperm were collected for cryopreservation.

Akap11 is located on chromosome 14 of mice. SgRNA and ssDNA will be designed using Nuclease Technology; Akap11 conditional knockout mice will be obtained by high-throughput electroporation of fertilized eggs. After sexual maturity, sperm will be collected for cryopreservation.