Transgenic 1 Flashcards
What is a Transgene?
- Gene/genetic material transferred from one organism to another (naturally or using genetic engineering) – generally germ line
A TRANSGENE May change the phenotype of the
organism its introduced into.
New gene may: 2
– retain the ability to produce RNA/protein
– alter the normal function of the t/g organism’s genetic code
WHY MAKE A TRANSGENIC ANIMAL? 5
1 *Identification of gene function
2 *Generation of animal models of diseases
3 *Drug validation
4 *Cell and organ research
- Others
Improvement of livestock WAS limited by?
NOW WHAT HAPPENS?
Improvement of livestock -traditionally limited by NATURAL VARIATION…
NOW- ‘make’ animals - express a trait of interest …
What are the 3 basic techniques to produce TRANSGENIC MICE:
(1) Pronuclei injection
(2) Retroviral gene transfer
(3) Embryonic stem cells - gene target
Transgenesis - history …
- jaenisch + Mintz,1976
infected early mouse embryos; Moloney retrovirus -
- mice integrated viral DNA into all tissues + their germlines
(passed on to offspring) .. first transgenic mammals. - Gordon and Ruddle, 1980
mouse born with genetic material injected into
pronuclei of a fertilised mouse egg - The term “transgenics” was born …
TRANSGENE IS THE INTRODUCED DNA…
why is mouse USED AS THE MODEL? =7
1 * Embryos are readily obtained and easy to
maintain.
2 * Developmental period is relatively short.
3 * Many offspring.
4 * Relatively inexpensive to maintain.
5 * Genetics are well established and genome
has been completely sequenced.
6 * Embryonic stem cells are available.
7 * Useful for human research – tissues &
organs similar, carry most of the same genes
What can FOREIGN DNA be used for in TRANSGENESIS? 5
1 * over-express protein (study the effects of
increased levels of a gene)
2 * express a defective protein
3 * express a gene product that adversely affects
the WT gene product (dominant negative)
4 * inactivate an endogenous gene (KO)
- conditionally inactivate (conditional KO)
- tissue-specific KO (Cre-Lox)
5 * replace endogenous gene with another gene
(KI)
What is gene locus?
Gene Locus: Includes both the promoter and the transcription unit!
Parts of a Transgene - Recombinant DNA
PROMOTER
1. Distal (>100kb)
- Proximal (approx. 1kb)
TRANSCRIPTION UNIT:
- Coding and noncoding sequences (from 1kb to >200kb)
Promorter/enhancer sequences drive expression?
4
Promoter/enhancer sequences
….drive expression …
- tissue
- time
- amount
- control via regulatory elements
How are TRANSGENES DEVELOPED AND INCORPORATED?
1 * Transgenes are usually developed **from plasmids, and include a promoter region (which may be tissuespecific) and a coding sequence, usually a **cDNA for the gene of interest.
2 * The plasmid is LINEARISED and INJECTED into the PRONUCLEUS of a fertilized OOCYTE .
This is then implanted
into PSEUDOPREGANANT FEMALES
3 * Transgenes are incorporated RANDOMLY into the genome, and are INFLUENCED BY THE POSITION at which they integrate
Transgenic Technology
- PROMOTER VS cDNA examples
PROMOTER
1- Tissue specific (brain, liver, muscle …)
2- Ubiquitous
3- Inducible (tetracyclin, interferon…)
cDNA
- GAIN OF FUNCTION:
- wild-type gene
- mutant
- LOSS OF FUNCTION:
- dominant negative
- antisense
What is the USE OF REPORTER GENES? HOW (4)
EXAMPLES OF VISUALLY IDENTIFIABLE ONES: 3
THEY Indicate successful uptake of the transgene:
1 - Distinct from endogenous gene
2 - Level of expression
3 - Ease of detection
4 - Study localisation
VISUALLY IDENTIFABLE:
- B galactosidase
- Luciferase
- GFP
- others…
Genetically altered Mice:
KNOCKOUTS…
What is the in vivo function of a gene? -
a) What is the in vivo function of a gene? -
knocking out the activity of a gene provides information about what that
gene normally does
b) Develop a model of disease (only where the disease is a result of loss of function) – develop & test novel therapies (cancer, obesity, CHD, diabetes, anxiety,M Parkinson’s)