Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

07:06
Principles of Site-Specific Recombinase (SSR) Technology
Published on: May 29, 2008
In vivo site-specific recombination using the beta-rec/six system
Pilar Servert1, Vicente Díaz, Daniel Lucas
1Departamento de Inmunología y Oncología, Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Biotechniques
|July 10, 2008
Summary
The beta-serine recombinase (beta-rec) system enables precise gene targeting in mammalian cells. This study demonstrates its functionality for in vivo genome modifications using transgenic mice.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Gene Editing
Background:
- Prokaryotic beta-serine recombinase (beta-rec) mediates site-specific recombination.
- The beta-rec/six system offers controlled recombination for complex genetic manipulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the beta-rec/six system for selective genome-targeted modifications.
- To assess the in vivo functionality of beta-rec for gene targeting.
Main Methods:
- Generated transgenic mouse lines (Tgbeta) expressing beta-rec under the Lck promoter.
- Developed transgenic mouse lines (Tgrec and KOsix) with specific target sequences.
- Analyzed beta-rec activity and its effects on T cell development and genome targeting.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated beta-rec activity in transgenic mice without adverse effects on T cell development.
- Confirmed the functionality of the beta-rec/six system for in vivo gene targeting.
Conclusions:
- The beta-rec/six site-specific recombination system is effective for in vivo gene targeting applications.
- This system provides a powerful tool for precise genome modifications in mammalian systems.
Related Concept Videos
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
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.
Viral Recombination
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
