High frequency targeting of genes to specific sites in the mammalian genome

KR Thomas, KR Folger, MR Capecchi - Cell, 1986 - cell.com
KR Thomas, KR Folger, MR Capecchi
Cell, 1986cell.com
We corrected a defective gene residing in the chromosome of a mammalian cell by injecting
into the nucleus copies of the same gene carrying a different mutation. We determined how
the number, the arrangement, and the chromosomal position of the integrated gene, as well
as the number of injected molecules influence the gene-targeting frequency. Recombination
between the newly introduced DNA and its chromosomal homolog occurred at a frequency
of 1 in 103 cells receiving DNA. Correction events were mediated by either double …
Summary
We corrected a defective gene residing in the chromosome of a mammalian cell by injecting into the nucleus copies of the same gene carrying a different mutation. We determined how the number, the arrangement, and the chromosomal position of the integrated gene, as well as the number of injected molecules influence the gene-targeting frequency. Recombination between the newly introduced DNA and its chromosomal homolog occurred at a frequency of 1 in 103 cells receiving DNA. Correction events were mediated by either double reciprocal recombination or gene conversion. This resulted in sequences in the genome being replaced by sequences of the introduced DNA or, in separate experiments, sequences in the incoming DNA being replaced by chromosomal sequences. Both point mutations and deletion mutations were corrected; however, the nature of the mutation carried by the respective sequence influenced whether the integrated or injected sequence was corrected.
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