Topo IIα reporter mice reveal proliferative regions in the epidermis and small intestine

We investigated topoisomerase IIα promoter activity in epithelia. In confluent human keratinocytes the promoter (−557 to +90 bp) was upregulated by oncogenic Ras. In transgenic mice expressing GFP via the promoter, GFP expression in undamaged epidermis was confined to growing hair follicles. GFP was also expressed in intestinal crypts. GFP expression was upregulated in epidermis following wounding or phorbol ester treatment. In each situation GFP expression correlated with high endogenous topoisomerase IIα expression and high proliferation. The mice therefore provide a useful model for non-invasive imaging of regions of high proliferation in normal or damaged epidermis.