D6 recombinase (Dre)

Characteristics

Catalyzes site-specific recombination between 32 bp rox (recombination of X-over) sites without cross-reactivity with loxP or FRT sites. Functions efficiently at mammalian cell temperatures (37°C) with high recombination efficiency comparable to Cre recombinase. Maintains full orthogonality to Cre-loxP and Flp-FRT systems, allowing simultaneous use of all three recombinase systems in the same cell. Requires no cofactors for activity and functions as a monomer that assembles into active tetramers at rox sites. Compatible with standard mammalian expression systems and widely distributed via plasmid repositories.

Applications: Enables triple-recombinase genetic strategies for complex conditional gene manipulation requiring three independent recombination events. Facilitates sequential or simultaneous genetic modifications in combination with Cre and Flp recombinases. Used for multi-color genetic labeling systems to trace multiple cell lineages independently. Supports intersectional genetics approaches for precise cell-type targeting based on expression of multiple genetic markers. Enables advanced transgenic mouse models with layered conditional gene activation and inactivation.

Limitations: Requires pre-existing rox target sites for recombination activity, limiting genomic targeting to engineered loci. Fewer available transgenic tools and reporter lines compared to mature Cre-loxP system due to more recent adoption. rox site library less extensive than loxP variant collection, restricting options for directional recombination strategies. Limited structural and mechanistic data compared to extensively characterized Cre and Flp recombinases.

References

1. Anastassiadis et al. (2009). Dre recombinase, like Cre, is a highly efficient site-specific recombinase in E. coli, mammalian cells and mice. Dis Model Mech - Anastassiadis 2009 Dre Rox