Inducible Cre-mediated Excision Yields Incomplete Ano1 Knockdown in the Murine Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

Anoctamin-1 (ANO1) is a calcium-activated chloride channel that is highly expressed in the muscle layer of the murine gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) responsible for regulation of GI contraction. The particular function of ANO1 in the GI tract or in ICC, however, has been characterized to a limited extent. Knockouts of Ano1 – the gene precursor for ANO1 – in mouse models by classic breeding schemes are typically fatal by Day 8, so a novel method of Ano1 elimination in the GI tracts of fully developed mice would facilitate further characterization of its function. In this study, inducible Cre-mediated excision resulted in significant Ano1 reduction in several GI tissues of adult mice, although significant knockdown was not observed in the GI vasculature.