Transposition-based method for the rapid generation of gene-targeting vectors to produce Cre/Flp-modifiable conditional knock-out mice

PLoS One. 2009;4(2):e4341. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004341. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Abstract

Conditional gene targeting strategies are progressively used to study gene function tissue-specifically and/or at a defined time period. Instrumental to all of these strategies is the generation of targeting vectors, and any methodology that would streamline the procedure would be highly beneficial. We describe a comprehensive transposition-based strategy to produce gene-targeting vectors for the generation of mouse conditional alleles. The system employs a universal cloning vector and two custom-designed mini-Mu transposons. It produces targeting constructions directly from BAC clones, and the alleles generated are modifiable by Cre and Flp recombinases. We demonstrate the applicability of the methodology by modifying two mouse genes, Chd22 and Drapc1. This straightforward strategy should be readily suitable for high-throughput targeting vector production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Attachment Sites, Microbiological
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism*
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Targeting / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics*
  • Integrases / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Apcdd1 protein, mouse
  • Cadherins
  • Cdh22 protein, mouse
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Cre recombinase
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases
  • FLP recombinase
  • Integrases