Gene targeting by homologous recombination in mouse zygotes mediated by zinc-finger nucleases

M Meyer, MH de Angelis, W Wurst… - Proceedings of the …, 2010 - National Acad Sciences
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010National Acad Sciences
Gene targeting by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells is extensively used to
generate specific mouse mutants. However, most mammalian species lack tools for targeted
gene manipulation. Since double-strand breaks strongly increase the rate of homologous
recombination at genomic loci, we explored whether gene targeting can be directly
performed in zygotes by the use of zinc-finger nucleases. Here we report that gene targeting
is achieved in 1.7–4.5% of murine one-cell embryos upon the coinjection of targeting vectors …
Gene targeting by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells is extensively used to generate specific mouse mutants. However, most mammalian species lack tools for targeted gene manipulation. Since double-strand breaks strongly increase the rate of homologous recombination at genomic loci, we explored whether gene targeting can be directly performed in zygotes by the use of zinc-finger nucleases. Here we report that gene targeting is achieved in 1.7–4.5% of murine one-cell embryos upon the coinjection of targeting vectors with zinc-finger nucleases, without preselection. These findings enable the manipulation of the mammalian germ line in a single step in zygotes, independent of ES cells.
National Acad Sciences