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A genetic system for biasing the sex ratio in mice
Author(s) -
Yosef Ido,
EdryBotzer Liat,
Globus Rea,
Shlomovitz Inbar,
Munitz Ariel,
Gerlic Motti,
Qimron Udi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.201948269
Subject(s) - tel aviv , clinical microbiology , library science , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science
Biasing the sex ratio of populations of different organisms, including plants, insects, crustacean, and fish, has been demonstrated by genetic and non‐genetic approaches. However, biasing the sex ratio of mammalian populations has not been demonstrated genetically. Here, we provide a first proof of concept for such a genetic system in mammals by crossing two genetically engineered mouse lines. The maternal line encodes a functional Cas9 protein on an autosomal chromosome, whereas the paternal line encodes guide RNA s on the Y chromosome targeting vital mouse genes. After fertilization, the presence of both the Y‐encoded guide RNA s from the paternal sperm and the Cas9 protein from the maternal egg targets the vital genes in males. We show that these genes are specifically targeted in males and that this breeding consequently self‐destructs solely males. Our results pave the way for a genetic system that allows biased sex production of livestock.