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When reverse genetics meets physiology: the use of site‐specific recombinases in mice
Author(s) -
Tronche François,
Casanova Emilio,
Turiault Marc,
Sahly Iman,
Kellendonk Christoph
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03266-0
Subject(s) - recombinase , gene targeting , biology , reverse genetics , cre recombinase , computational biology , model organism , point mutation , gene , genetics , genome , mutation , transgene , recombination , genetically modified mouse
The use of site‐specific recombinases enables the precise introduction of defined genetic mutations into the mouse genome. In theory, any deletion, point mutation, inversion or translocation can be modeled in mice. Because gene targeting is controlled both spatially and temporally, the function of a given gene can be studied in the desired cell types and at a specific time point. This ‘genetic dissection’ allows to define gene function in development, physiology or behavior. In this review, we focus on the technical possibilities of Cre and other site‐specific recombinases but also discuss their limitations.