Mice cloned from olfactory sensory neurons

Nature. 2004 Mar 4;428(6978):44-9. doi: 10.1038/nature02375. Epub 2004 Feb 15.

Abstract

Cloning by nuclear transplantation has been successfully carried out in various mammals, including mice. Until now mice have not been cloned from post-mitotic cells such as neurons. Here, we have generated fertile mouse clones derived by transferring the nuclei of post-mitotic, olfactory sensory neurons into oocytes. These results indicate that the genome of a post-mitotic, terminally differentiated neuron can re-enter the cell cycle and be reprogrammed to a state of totipotency after nuclear transfer. Moreover, the pattern of odorant receptor gene expression and the organization of odorant receptor genes in cloned mice was indistinguishable from wild-type animals, indicating that irreversible changes to the DNA of olfactory neurons do not accompany receptor gene choice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cloning, Organism*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Transfer Techniques
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / cytology*
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / metabolism
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Polyploidy
  • Receptors, Odorant / metabolism
  • Totipotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Totipotent Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Odorant