TALEN-mediated genetic tailoring as a tool to analyze the function of acquired mutations in multiple myeloma cells

Blood Cancer J. 2014 May 9;4(5):e210. doi: 10.1038/bcj.2014.32.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell malignancy that is initiated by a number of mutations and the process of disease progression is characterized by further acquisition of mutations. The identification and functional characterization of these myelomagenic mutations is necessary to better understand the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in this disease. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing have made the identification of most of these mutations a reality. However, the functional characterization of these mutations has been hampered by the lack of proper and efficient tools to dissect these mutations. Here we explored the possible utility of transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) genome engineering technology to tailoring the genome of MM cells. To test this possibility, we targeted the HPRT1 gene and found that TALENs are a very robust and efficient genome-editing tool in MM cells. Using cotransfected green fluorescent protein as an enrichment marker, single-cell subclones with desirable TALEN modifications in the HPRT1 gene were obtained in as little as 3-4 weeks of time. We believe that TALENs will greatly facilitate the functional study of somatic mutations in MM as well as other cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Deoxyribonucleases / genetics*
  • Deoxyribonucleases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Knockout Techniques / methods
  • Gene Targeting
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Humans
  • Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase / genetics
  • Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase / metabolism
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multiple Myeloma / enzymology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics*
  • Mutation*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase
  • Deoxyribonucleases