title: Checks and balancers: balancer chromosomes to facilitate genome annotation.
abstract: Phenotype-driven mutagenesis screens are used to discover gene function in model organisms. Mutations that are induced by chemical mutagens can occur anywhere in the genome. However, the use of a balancer chromosome (where a phenotypically marked segment of a chromosome is inverted) in a mutagenesis screen enables mutations to be mapped in a defined region of the genome and maintained stably in a heterozygous state. Mouse balancer chromosomes can be engineered using Cre-loxP technology in selected regions of the genome. Balancer mutagenesis screens will provide a systematic functional analysis of the genes on mouse chromosomes, and consequently, will facilitate a functional annotation of the mammalian genome sequence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Hentges
authors.forename: Monica J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Justice
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016296:Mutagenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010641:Phenotype; D017384:Sequence Deletion
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens