Rapid and reliable determination of transgene zygosity in mice by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification

Transgenic Res. 2009 Dec;18(6):987-91. doi: 10.1007/s11248-009-9284-x. Epub 2009 Jun 7.

Abstract

The ability to rapidly and unequivocally distinguish heterozygous from homozygous transgenic mice is an integral part of any breeding strategy. Here we describe a quick and simple protocol for determining the zygosity of transgenic mice at multiple loci in a single reaction. This involved the development of a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) probe mix to simultaneously measure common transgenic alleles such as Cre recombinase (Cre), neomycin (Neo), beta-galactosidase (LacZ) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), as well as loci specific to the X and Y chromosome to allow sexing. Each reaction required as little as 100 ng of genomic DNA isolated from a tail biopsy using a simple procedure. Normalization against autosomal control loci resulted in 100% call accuracy, with no ambiguous results. This probe mix can be easily implemented in any laboratory with access to a PCR machine and a DNA sequencer, and can be rapidly adapted to genotype any additional loci of interest.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Genotype
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic / genetics*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transgenes