Generating transgenic frog embryos by restriction enzyme mediated integration (REMI)

Methods Mol Biol. 2012:917:185-203. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_11.

Abstract

Here we present a protocol for generating transgenic embryos in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. The method includes three steps: (1) The preparation of high-speed egg extracts, which facilitates the replacement of protamines in sperm nuclei with nucleosomes and decondenses the chromatin of sperm nuclei; (2) The isolation of sperm nuclei; and (3) The mixing of sperm nuclei, restriction enzyme, and high-speed extract in vitro, following by nuclear transplantation into unfertilized eggs to generate the transgenic embryos. This procedure generates non-mosaic transgenic embryos at high frequency and efficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / genetics*
  • Cell Extracts / genetics
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes / chemistry*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Male
  • Nuclear Transfer Techniques
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Spermatozoa / cytology
  • Ultracentrifugation
  • Xenopus / genetics*

Substances

  • Cell Extracts
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes