Smooth muscle α actin (SMA) is a cytoskeletal protein expressed by mesenchymal and smooth muscle cell types, including mural cells (vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes). Using Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) recombineering technology, we generated transgenic reporter mice that express a membrane localized cherry red fluorescent protein (mCherry), driven by the full-length SMA promoter and intronic sequences. We determined that the founders and F1 progeny of five independent lines contain 1-3 copies of the mCherry substituted BAC vector. Furthermore, we characterized the expression of SMA-mCherry in relation to endogenous SMA in the embryo and in adult tissues, and found that the transgenic reporter in each line recapitulated endogenous SMA expression at all time points. We were also able to isolate SMA expressing cells from embryonic tissues using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). We demonstrated that this marker can be combined with other vital fluorescent reporters and it can be used for live imaging of embryonic cardiodynamics. Therefore, these transgenic mice will be useful for isolating live SMA-expressing cells via FACS and for studying the emergence, behavior and regulation of SMA-expressing cells, including vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes throughout embryonic and postnatal development.

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While exercise has not been shown to provide long-term improvements in blood glucose control, it has been shown to delay or prevent secondary conditions associated with diabetes. Exercise also offers significant psychological gains by allowing both IDDM and NIDDM patients to participate in normal recreational or competitive activities. A properly designed exercise prescription begins with the education of the patient, including a thorough understanding of the effects of exercise, the demand it places on the metabolic processes, and the necessary adjustments that must be made to maintain normoglycemia. A stress test is a recommended preliminary.