[Research progress in human artificial chromosomes(HACs) and the potentials in application].
Since the first report of the establishment of human artificial chromosome(HAC) was published in 1997, several types of HAC have been created by different strategies. Compared to other artificial chromosomes, such as yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and bacterial artificial chromosome(BAC), HAC exists in a cell independently, in other words, HAC does not integrated into the cellular genome, and can undergo normal mitosis and meiosis from generation to generation in vitro and in vivo. Recent results proved that HAC, as a DNA carrier, is able to host a large fragment of DNA or mini-chromosome, thus it could be a very important tool in the study of human gene expression and regulation, human chromosome function and minimum functional elements and animal models for human diseases. In the near future, HAC can also be used in gene therapy for human genetic diseases.
Zuo
Guo-Wei
GW
State Key Laboratory of Trauma Burns and Combined Injury, Infection & Immunology Department, Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. zuoguowei@hotmail.com
Lü
Feng-Lin
FL
D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D022222:Chromosomes, Artificial, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans
D004276:DNA, Satellite