Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

In-vitro Mutagenesis

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Atrasentan in patients with IgA nephropathy (ALIGN): final 2·5-year results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Lancet (London, England)·2026

Same author

Podocyte-derived endothelin-1 and endothelial cell endothelin A receptors are essential for glomerular injury in mouse models of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Kidney international·2026

Same author

Corrigendum to "Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of ALIGN, a Randomized Controlled Study of Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy" [Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2025, Pages 217-226].

Kidney international reports·2025

Same author

Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of ALIGN, a Randomized Controlled Study of Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy.

Kidney international reports·2025

Same author

The dual endothelin A and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist sparsentan (FILSPARI®) exhibits a safe nonclinical male fertility toxicity profile.

Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP·2025

Same author

Sex differences in response to the endothelin receptor antagonist atrasentan in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a post hoc analysis of the SONAR trial.

Diabetologia·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

Published on: June 30, 2018

Progress in gene targeting: using mutant mice to study renal function and disease.

Donald E Kohan¹

¹Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. donald.kohan@hsc.utah.edu

Kidney International

|April 18, 2008

Summary

Genetic engineering in mice advances renal research by enabling precise control over gene expression. New tools offer cell-specific, timed, and reversible gene modification for studying kidney function and disease.

More Related Videos

Mouse Genome Engineering Using Designer Nucleases

Mouse Genome Engineering Using Designer Nucleases

Published on: April 2, 2014

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Highly Efficient Gene Targeting in Embryonic Stem Cells for Developing Gene-Manipulated Mouse Models

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Highly Efficient Gene Targeting in Embryonic Stem Cells for Developing Gene-Manipulated Mouse Models

Published on: August 24, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

Published on: June 30, 2018

Mouse Genome Engineering Using Designer Nucleases

Mouse Genome Engineering Using Designer Nucleases

Published on: April 2, 2014

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Highly Efficient Gene Targeting in Embryonic Stem Cells for Developing Gene-Manipulated Mouse Models

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Highly Efficient Gene Targeting in Embryonic Stem Cells for Developing Gene-Manipulated Mouse Models

Published on: August 24, 2022

Area of Science:

Nephrology
Genetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Conventional transgenic approaches have been instrumental in understanding gene function in renal health and disease.
Recent advancements allow for controlled cell type, timing, and reversibility of gene expression in mice.
Identifying renal cell-specific promoters has improved the interpretation of gene targeting studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the state-of-the-art in gene targeting techniques in the kidney.
To discuss the function, indications, and limitations of molecular biologic tools for renal gene modification.
To highlight recent progress and future directions in transgenic mouse models for kidney research.

Main Methods:

Utilizing site-specific recombinases (Cre, Flp, PhiC31) for cell-specific gene knockout.
Employing doxycycline- and tamoxifen-inducible systems for temporally regulated gene expression.
Exploring RNA interference (RNAi) for rapid and reversible gene knockdown.

Main Results:

Site-specific recombinases enable precise genetic manipulation in specific kidney cell types.
Inducible systems allow for the study of gene function without confounding developmental effects.
RNA interference shows potential for gene knockdown, though its utility in renal function studies is still under investigation.

Conclusions:

Advanced gene targeting tools significantly enhance the study of renal gene function and disease mechanisms in mice.
Cell-specific, temporally controlled, and reversible genetic modifications are crucial for accurate physiological and pathological studies.
Ongoing development of new gene targeting technologies promises to further simplify the generation and application of transgenic mouse models for kidney research.