title: Transgenesis procedures in Xenopus.
abstract: Stable integration of foreign DNA into the frog genome has been the purpose of several studies aimed at generating transgenic animals or producing mutations of endogenous genes. Inserting DNA into a host genome can be achieved in a number of ways. In Xenopus, different strategies have been developed which exhibit specific molecular and technical features. Although several of these technologies were also applied in various model organizms, the attributes of each method have rarely been experimentally compared. Investigators are thus confronted with a difficult choice to discriminate which method would be best suited for their applications. To gain better understanding, a transgenesis workshop was organized by the X-omics consortium. Three procedures were assessed side-by-side, and the results obtained are used to illustrate this review. In addition, a number of reagents and tools have been set up for the purpose of gene expression and functional gene analyses. This not only improves the status of Xenopus as a powerful model for developmental studies, but also renders it suitable for sophisticated genetic approaches. Twenty years after the first reported transgenic Xenopus, we review the state of the art of transgenic research, focusing on the new perspectives in performing genetic studies in this species.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Evolution et Développement, Université Paris Sud, F-91405 Orsay cedex, France.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chesneau
authors.forename: Laurent M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sachs
authors.forename: Norin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Yonglong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Du Pasquier
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loeber
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pollet
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Odile J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Bronchain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D014981:Xenopus / Q000235:genetics*