摘要：SummarySpecific recording, labeling, and spatiotemporal manipulating neurons are essential for neuroscience research. In this study, we developed a tripartite spatiotemporal gene induction system inC. elegans, which is based on the knockout of two transcriptional terminators (stops in short) by two different recombinases FLP and CRE. The recombinase sites (loxP andFRT) flanked stops after a ubiquitous promoter terminate transcription of target genes. FLP and CRE, induced by two promoters of overlapping expression, remove the stops (subsequent FLP/CRE-out). The system provides an "AND" gate strategy for specific gene expression in single types of cell(s). Combined with an inducible promoter or element, the system can control the spatiotemporal expression of genes in defined cell types, especially in cells or tissues lacking a specific promoter. This tripartite FLP/CRE-out gene expression system is a simple, labor- and cost-saving toolbox for cell type-specific and inducible gene expression inC. elegans.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•A tripartite FLP/CRE-out spatiotemporal gene expression system inC. elegans•Eight promoter pairs with the targeting of a single-type neuron(s) were identified•The system is easy to use and cost and labor savingMolecular Biology; Neuroscience; Genetic Engineering
