Gene targeting by TALEN-induced homologous recombination in goats directs production of β-lactoglobulin-free, high-human lactoferrin milk

Sci Rep. 2015 May 21:5:10482. doi: 10.1038/srep10482.

Abstract

β-Lactoglobulin (BLG) is a major goat's milk allergen that is absent in human milk. Engineered endonucleases, including transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc-finger nucleases, enable targeted genetic modification in livestock. In this study, TALEN-mediated gene knockout followed by gene knock-in were used to generate BLG knockout goats as mammary gland bioreactors for large-scale production of human lactoferrin (hLF). We introduced precise genetic modifications in the goat genome at frequencies of approximately 13.6% and 6.09% for the first and second sequential targeting, respectively, by using targeting vectors that underwent TALEN-induced homologous recombination (HR). Analysis of milk from the cloned goats revealed large-scale hLF expression or/and decreased BLG levels in milk from heterozygous goats as well as the absence of BLG in milk from homozygous goats. Furthermore, the TALEN-mediated targeting events in somatic cells can be transmitted through the germline after SCNT. Our result suggests that gene targeting via TALEN-induced HR may expedite the production of genetically engineered livestock for agriculture and biomedicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Base Sequence
  • Deoxyribonucleases / genetics*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Gene Silencing
  • Gene Targeting / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / metabolism
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Goats
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Lactoferrin / genetics
  • Lactoferrin / metabolism*
  • Lactoglobulins / deficiency
  • Lactoglobulins / genetics*
  • Milk / metabolism*

Substances

  • LTF protein, human
  • Lactoglobulins
  • Deoxyribonucleases
  • Lactoferrin