• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.745-753
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• 2008

Gene-manipulated mice were discovered for the first time about a quarter century ago. Since then, numerous sophisticated technologies have been developed and applied to answer key questions about the fundamental roles of the genes of interest. Functional genomics can be characterized into gain-of-function and loss-of-function, which are called transgenic and knock-out studies, respectively. To make transgenic mice, the most widely used technique is the microinjection of transgene-containing vectors into the embryonic pronucleus. However, there are critical drawbacks: namely position effects, integration of unknown copies of a foreign gene, and instability of the foreign DNA within the host genome. To overcome these problems, the ROSA26 locus was used for the knock-in site of a transgene. Usage of this locus is discussed for the gain of function study as well as for several brilliant approaches such as conditional/inducible transgenic system, reproducible/inducible knockdown system, specific cell ablation by Cre-mediated expression of DTA, Cre-ERTM mice as a useful tool for temporal gene regulation, MORE mice as a germ line delete and site specific recombinase system. Techniques to make null mutant mice include complicated steps: vector design and construction, colony selection of embryonic stem (ES) cells, production of chimera mice, confirmation of germ line transmission, and so forth. It is tedious and labor intensive work and difficult to approach. Thus, it is not readily accessible by most researchers. In order to overcome such limitations, technical breakthroughs such as reporter knock-in and gene knock-out system, production of homozygous mutant ES cells from a single targeting vector, and production of mutant mice from tetraploid embryos are developed. With these upcoming progresses, it is important to consider how we could develop these systems further and expand to other animal models such as pigs and monkeys that have more physiological similarities to humans.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.114-119
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• 2020

Of the various types of mice used for genome editing, conditional knock-out (cKO) mice serve as an important model for studying the function of genes. cKO mice can be produced using loxP knock-in (KI) mice in which loxP sequences (34 bp) are inserted on both sides of a specific region in the target gene. These mice can be used as KO mice that do not express a gene at a desired time or under a desired condition by cross-breeding with various Cre Tg mice. Genome editing has been recently made easy by the use of third-generation gene scissors, the CRISPR-Cas9 system. However, very few laboratories can produce mice for genome editing. Here we present a more efficient method for producing loxP KI mice. This method involves the use of an HDR vector as the target vector and ssODN as the donor DNA in order to induce homologous recombination for producing loxP KI mice. On injecting 20 ng/µL of ssODN, it was observed that the target exon was deleted or loxP was inserted on only one side. However, on injecting 10 ng/µL of the target HDR vector, the insertion of loxP was observed on both sides of the target region. In the first PCR, seven mice were identified to be loxP KI mice. The accuracy of their gene sequences was confirmed through Sanger sequencing. It is expected that the loxP KI mice produced in this study will serve as an important tool for identifying the function of the target gene.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권9호
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• pp.484-489
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• 2020

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures, which are bursts of electrical activity that temporarily affect the brain. Cereblon (CRBN), a DCAFs (DDB1 and CUL4-associated factors), is a well-established protein associated with human mental retardation. Being a substrate receptor of the cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL) 4 complex, CRBN mediates ubiquitination of several substrates and conducts multiple biological processes. In the central nervous system, the large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channel, which is the substrate of CRBN, is an important regulator of epilepsy. Despite the functional role and importance of CRBN in the brain, direct injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) to induce seizures in CRBN knock-out mice has not been challenged. In this study, we investigated the effect of PTZ in CRBN knock-out mice. Here, we demonstrate that, compared with WT mice, CRBN knock-out mice do not show the intensification of seizures by PTZ induction. Moreover, electroencephalography recordings were also performed in the brains of both WT and CRBN knockout mice to identify the absence of significant differences in the pattern of seizure activities. Consistently, immunoblot analysis for validating the protein level of the CRL4 complex containing CRBN (CRL4^Crbn) in the mouse brain was carried out. Taken together, we found that the deficiency of CRBN does not affect PTZ-induced seizure.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권9호
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• pp.629-634
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• 2010

Endotoxin including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) confers organ tolerance against subsequent challenge by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) insult. The mechanisms underlying this powerful adaptive defense remain to be defined. Therefore, in this study we attempted to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) and its associated enzymes, inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS, a constitutive NOS), are associated with LPS-induced renal tolerance against I/R injury, using iNOS (iNOS knock-out) or eNOS (eNOS knock-out) gene-deleted mice. A systemic low dose of LPS pretreatment protected kidney against I/R injury. LPS treatment increased the activity and expression of iNOS, but not eNOS, in kidney tissue. LPS pretreatment in iNOS, but not eNOS, knock-out mice did not protect kidney against I/R injury. In conclusion, the kidney tolerance to I/R injury conferred by pretreatment with LPS is mediated by increased expression and activation of iNOS.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.576-583
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• 2005

치아의 형성은 상피-간엽간의 상호작용을 통해 조절되어지는 복잡한 발생과정이다. 지금까지 치관의 발생에 관여하는 유전자 및 그들의 신호전달경로에 관한 연구는 다수 진행되어 왔지만 치근의 발생을 조절하는 기전에 대해서는 별로 알려진 것이 없다. 최근에 NFI-C knock out 생쥐에서 정상치관에 비정상적인 치근을 가지는 치아가 보고되었다. 본 연구의 목적은 NFI-C가 어떻게 치근의 형태와 상아모세포의 분화에 관여하는지를 규명하는 것이다. NFI-C knock out 생쥐의 치근 발생동안에 HERS의 역할을 연구하고자 cytokeratin 면역조직화학적방법과 치근상아질의 특성을 규명하기 위해 DSPP mRNA in-situ hybrydization법을 수행하였다. 1. NFI-C knock out 생쥐의 치근형성시 HERS의 역할 Wild type과 knock out type 모두에서 cytokeratin은 모든 HERS 세포들과 반응하였고, HERS와 법랑상피 사이의 양성반응세포들의 연속성은 치경부 부위에서 소실되었다. Knock out type에서 치근상아질이 침착된 후, cytokeratin 양성-HERS 세포들은 치경부에서 불규칙한 배열과 극성의 상실을 보였다. 2. NFI-C knock out 생쥐의 치근상아질의 특성 DSPP mRNA의 발현은 wild type에서 치관과 치근상아질의 상아모세포 모두에서 강한 발현을 보인 반면, knock out type에서는 치관부위 상아질의 상아모세포에서만 강한 발현을 보였다. 3. NFI-C knock out 생쥐의 치근 발생과정에서 HERS는 치관으로부터 정상적인 확장을 보인 반면, 치근부위에서의 상아 모세포 분화는 실패하였다. 위의 결과들로 보아 NFI-C는 치근형성 과정에서 상아모세포 분화에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.363-370
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• 2012

The outer dense fiber 2 (ODF2) protein is an important component of sperm tail outer dense fiber and localizes at the centrosome. It has been reported that the RO072 ES cell derived homozygote knock out of ODF2 results in an embryonic lethal phenotype, and XL169 ES cell derived heterozygote knock out causes severe defects in sperm tail development. The ODF2s splicing variant, Cenexin1, possesses a C-terminal extension, and the phosphorylation of serine 796 residue in an extended C-terminal is responsible for Plk1 binding. Cenexin1 assembles ninein and causes ciliogenesis in early stages of the cell cycle in a Plk1-independent manner. Alternatively, in the late stages of the cell cycle, G2/M phase, Cenexin1 binds to Plk1 and results in proper mitotic progression. In this study, to identify the in vivo function of Plk1 binding to phosphorylated Cenexin1 S796 residue, and to understand the in vivo functional differences between ODF2 and Cenexin1, we generated ODF2/Cenexin1 S796A/Cenexin1 WT expressing transgenic mice in a RO072 ES cell derived $ODF2^{+/-}$ knock out background. We observed a severe defect of sperm tail development by ectopic expression of Cenexin1 S796A mutant and no phenotypic differences between the ectopic expression of ODF2/Cenexin1 WT in $ODF2^{+/-}$ background and in normal wild type mice.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.320-326
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• 2006

Pasteurella multocida is an important veterinary and opportunistic human pathogen. In particular, strains of P. multocida serogroup D cause progressive atrophic rhinitis, and produce a potent, intracellular, mitogenic toxin known as P. multocida toxin (PMT), which is encoded by the toxA gene. To further investigate the toxigenic and pathogenic effects of PMT, a toxA-deleted mutant was developed by homologous gene recombination. When administrated to mice, the toxigenicity of the toxA mutant P. multocida was drastically reduced, suggesting that the PMT constributes the major part of the toxigenicity of P, multocida. Similar results were obtained in a subsequent experiment, while high mortalities were observed when toxA(+) P. multocida bacterial culture or culture Iysate were administrated. Mice immunized with toxA(-) P. multocida were not protected (none survived) following challenge with toxA(+) P. multocida or bacterial culture Iysate (toxin). These results suggest that the toxigenicity of P. multocida is mainly derived from PMT.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.114-117
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• 2016

골은 일생에 걸쳐 지속적인 재형성과장을 거치면서 유지되고 이러한 기전에 대한 연구는 골다공증을 비롯한 골대사 질환의 병태생리와 치료에 있어 큰 진전을 이루고 있다. 특히 생체 내 골형성 및 재생과정을 연구하는데 있어 형광표지자를 이용하는 방법이 널리 알려져 있는데, 그 중 calcein은 칼슘 킬레이터로 골이 새롭게 형성하는 부위에 녹색을 띔으로써 유용한 마커로 사용된다. 그러나 대부분의 골형성 연구에서 실험동물의 경우 표본제작을 할 때 크기가 작고 뼈가 부숴지기 쉬워 rat이나 rabbit을 이용하였으며, mice의 femur를 cross-section해서 관찰한 연구는 거의 없는 실정이다. 그래서 본 연구에서는 어린 mice를 실험동물로 이용하였으며, 생체 내 calcein을 4주간, 8주간 투여한 후 골 형성 변화를 형광현미경으로 관찰한 결과 8주차 쥐에서 4주차보다 진하고 골 형성 간격도 넓게 관찰된 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. Mice는 빠른 시일 내에 결과를 얻을 수 있고 부작용이 적은 장점이 있어서 앞으로 knock-out mice를 이용한 생체 내 실험에 활용하기 적합하다고 생각되며, 골형성 속도 평가 등 다양한 분야에서의 골 형성과 재생연구에 있어 기초 정보를 제공할 것으로 기대한다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제17권
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• pp.305-307
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• 2001

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is widely used in the manufacture of polyurethanes and is a recognized cause of occupational asthma. Although extensive investigations have been undertaken, the molecular mechanism(s) of the disease is still unclear. We hypothesized that inflammatory cytokines are required during both the sensitization and elicitation phases of the disease and have utilized TNF-R knock-out (KO) mice to address the hypothesis. Black C57 TNFR knock-out mice were exposed to TDI by sc injection and challenged by inhalation of 100 ppb TDI vapor. Control animals included: wild type C57 animals, sham-exposed animals that were challenged with TDI, and animals that were injected with anti-TNF antibodies prior to sensitization and again prior to challenge. Total IgE was increased in the knock-out animals compared with the wild type sensitized and challenged animals whereas TDI-specific IgG antibodies did not differ significantly in KO and wild type animals. There was less inflammation in the nares and trachea in KO animals compared with the wild type animals exposed to TD1 as well as less goblet cell hyperplasia and epithelial damage. Airway reactivity was assessed in animals treated with anti-TNF$\alpha$ antibody and found to be substantially reduced compared with that in sensitized and challenged animals. These results indicate that TNF$\alpha$ plays a role in the immunologic and physiologic responses and in airways inflammation in this animal model and suggests a role for TNF in occupational asthma due to TDI.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권10호
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.