The use of P-element transposons to generate transgenic flies.
The development of a technique to stably integrate exogenous DNA into the germline of Drosophila melanogaster marked a milestone in the ability to study gene function in the fly. On the molecular level germline transformation mainly relies on a particular transposable element, the D. melanogaster P-element. Based on certain features of the P-element, vectors have been designed for diverse applications like gene disruption, chromosome engineering, gene tagging, and inducible gene expression/repression. Despite the fact that an increasing number of other transposons have been utilized for germline transformation of Drosophila most transformation vectors are still P-element based. Technically, microinjection serves as the method of choice to physically introduce transgenes into preblastoderm Drosophila embryos. Besides an appropriate technical equipment including suitable microcapillaries in conjunction with a micromanipulator, a microinjector, and a microscope, proper handling of the Drosophila embryos before and after microinjection is the key step to the generation of transgenic flies. Pioneer work in Drosophila also served as a general guideline for the transformation of other insect species including those with medical and agricultural importance.
Bachmann
André
A
Institut für Genetik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Knust
Elisabeth
E
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008297:Male; D018626:Retroelements; D019076:Transgenes; D019895:Transposases / Q000378:metabolism
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D018626:Retroelements; D004247:DNA; D019895:Transposases