Mutagenesis in rodents using the L1 retrotransposon.
LINE1 (L1) retrotransposons are genetic elements that are present in all mammalian genomes. L1s are active in both humans and mice, and are capable of copying themselves and inserting the copy into a new genomic location. These de novo insertions occasionally result in disease. Endogenous L1 retrotransposons can be modified to increase their activity and mutagenic power in a variety of ways. Here we outline the advantages of using modified L1 retrotransposons for performing random mutagenesis in rodents and discuss several potential applications.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. ostertag@mail.med.upenn.edu
Eric M
EM
Ostertag
Blair B
BB
Madison
Hiroki
H
Kano
D000818:Animals; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009928:Organ Specificity; D018626:Retroelements / Q000235:genetics*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000235:genetics*
D018626:Retroelements