Development and Universal Application of Artificial Intron Technology for the Generation of Conditional Alleles in Mice
Speakers: Stephane Pelletier, Ph.D., Director of the Indiana University Genome Editing Center
Hosted by: Indiana University Genome Editing Center
Description: Engineering conditional alleles in mice has historically posed a challenge. However, in a recent proof-of-concept study, we made significant progress using a novel technology that employs a short artificial intron to create conditional alleles in mice. This innovative method, based on the Cre-loxP system, involves inserting a short DNA segment containing basic intron elements flanked by loxP sites within an exon. Under normal circumstances (without Cre), this DNA segment functions as an intron and is efficiently removed during splicing, allowing normal gene expression. Conversely, in the presence of Cre, the intronic sequences are specifically excised, leaving a short DNA segment within the exon. Consequently, this altered DNA segment evades recognition by the splicing machinery, resulting in gene inactivation. Our findings expand the potential of this approach for engineering conditional alleles in mice, and ongoing investigations aim to evaluate its universality.
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Development and Universal Application of Artificial Intron Technology for the Generation of Conditional Alleles in Mice
Speakers: Stephane Pelletier, Ph.D., Director of the Indiana University Genome Editing Center
Hosted by: Indiana University Genome Editing Center
Description: Engineering conditional alleles in mice has historically posed a challenge. However, in a recent proof-of-concept study, we made significant progress using a novel technology that employs a short artificial intron to create conditional alleles in mice. This innovative method, based on the Cre-loxP system, involves inserting a short DNA segment containing basic intron elements flanked by loxP sites within an exon. Under normal circumstances (without Cre), this DNA segment functions as an intron and is efficiently removed during splicing, allowing normal gene expression. Conversely, in the presence of Cre, the intronic sequences are specifically excised, leaving a short DNA segment within the exon. Consequently, this altered DNA segment evades recognition by the splicing machinery, resulting in gene inactivation. Our findings expand the potential of this approach for engineering conditional alleles in mice, and ongoing investigations aim to evaluate its universality.