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Harnessing orthogonal recombinases to decipher cell fate with enhanced precision
Wendong Weng1, Xiuxiu Liu1, Kathy O Lui2
1State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
Trends in Cell Biology
|October 18, 2021
Summary
Orthogonal recombinase systems, like Cre-loxP, enable precise in vivo lineage tracing and gene manipulation. Combining these tools enhances accuracy for studying cellular plasticity and resolving biological controversies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Understanding cellular plasticity in vivo is crucial for key biological processes.
- Site-specific recombinases are vital genetic tools for in vivo lineage tracing and gene manipulation.
- Orthogonal recombination systems (Cre-loxP, Dre-rox, Flp-frt) offer enhanced precision through combinatory use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce design principles for orthogonal recombinase-based strategies in cell fate studies.
- To provide working examples of these strategies resolving cell fate controversies.
- To discuss the technical strengths and limitations of these advanced genetic tools.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing orthogonal recombination systems (Cre-loxP, Dre-rox, Flp-frt) in combination.
- Applying multi-marker gene targeting for lineage tracing and cellular activity recording.
- Analyzing resolved cell fate controversies through combinatory recombinase applications.
Main Results:
- Combinatorial use of orthogonal recombinases allows for high-precision lineage tracing.
- These systems enable the study of cellular heterogeneity and recording of cellular activities.
- Application of these strategies has successfully resolved long-standing controversies in cell fate determination.
Conclusions:
- Orthogonal recombinase systems are powerful tools for dissecting complex cellular processes in vivo.
- Their combinatory application significantly advances the precision of cell fate studies.
- Further development and application hold promise for deeper insights into developmental biology and disease.
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