Generation of Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Enabling Functional Expression of Oxytocin Receptor and Fluorescence Marker Genes Using the Human eIF4G Internal Ribosome Entry Site Element

We developed the AAV-Oxtr-IRES-Venus vector to rescue the oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) gene functionally at restricted regions in the brains of Oxtr knockout mice. First we chose human eIF4G gene-derived IRES to co-express Venus, a fluorescent marker gene, with Oxtr. With selected human eIF4G IRES, we constructed the AAV-Oxtr-IRES-Venus vector, and it caused expression of the Venus gene in the brain when 1 mu l of viral solution (9.4 x 10(7) vg) was injected into the medial amygdaloid nucleus. In primary neuronal cells transduced with this viral vector and followed by oxytocin administration, functional expression of OXTR was detected by Ca2+ imaging assay.