Specific genetic modifications of domestic animals by gene targeting and animal cloning.
The technology of gene targeting through homologous recombination has been extremely useful for elucidating gene functions in mice. The application of this technology was thought impossible in the large livestock species until the successful creation of the first mammalian clone "Dolly" the sheep. The combination of the technologies for gene targeting of somatic cells with those of animal cloning made it possible to introduce specific genetic mutations into domestic animals. In this review, the principles of gene targeting in somatic cells and the challenges of nuclear transfer using gene-targeted cells are discussed. The relevance of gene targeting in domestic animals for applications in bio-medicine and agriculture are also examined.
Wang
Bin
B
Nexia Biotechnologies Inc, 1000, Ave, St-Charles, Vaudreuil Dorion, Quebec, Canada, J7V 8P5. bwang@nexiabiotech.com
Zhou
Jiangfeng
J
D000682:Amyloid / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000235:genetics*; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000379:methods; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000072002:Prion Proteins; D011328:Prions; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine; D018183:Transplantation Chimera; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D000682:Amyloid; D000072002:Prion Proteins; D011328:Prions; C512657:Prnp protein, mouse; D011498:Protein Precursors