CAG-Cre-GFP AAV (Serotype 1)

CAG-Cre-GFP AAV (serotype 1) is a powerful tool for precise manipulation of genetic sequences within mammalian cells in molecular biology and genetic research. This adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector combines elements of two different AAV serotypes: it utilizes the capsid of AAV1, known for its efficient gene delivery capabilities, especially in muscle and neural tissues, and the inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) of AAV2, which are essential for replication and packaging of the viral genome. The CAG promoter, a hybrid of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer and the chicken β-actin promoter, is a powerful and ubiquitous promoter that drives high levels of transgene expression in a variety of cell types. Its inclusion in this vector ensures efficient transcription of the Cre recombinase and the GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene in target cells. Cre recombinase is an enzyme that promotes site-specific recombination events between loxP sites. Incorporation of Cre into this AAV vector allows researchers to selectively manipulate the genome of host cells. This is often used in conditional knockout studies, where gene inactivation is desired in specific tissues or at a specific developmental stage. Additionally, a GFP reporter gene is included to allow for direct visualization and confirmation of transgene expression. GFP fluoresces brightly green when exposed to blue light, providing a reliable method for identifying infected cells and tracking gene expression in living tissues.