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Role of transgenic mice in identification and characterization of tumour suppressor genes
1Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Transgenic mice expressing various oncogenes have been generated and widely used to study their role in tumorigenesis. The development of targeted mutagenesis allows specific genes to be mutated in mouse embryonic stem cells, which can then be used to generate mice with a germline mutation in that gene. Embryonic stem cell technology has been used to reconstruct genetic lesions in tumour suppressor genes such as p53 and Rb1, originally identified from studies in humans. The tumour susceptibility phenotype of mutant mice has unveiled the tumour suppressor activity of specific genes that were not expected to have such a function. Transgenic and knock out mice will have an increasingly important role in the identification of novel tumour suppressor genes.
Insights
Transgenic and knockout mice models are crucial for studying cancer development and identifying new tumor suppressor genes. These genetically engineered mice help researchers understand gene functions in tumorigenesis.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Transgenic mice expressing oncogenes are vital tools for cancer research.
- Targeted mutagenesis in mouse embryonic stem cells enables germline gene mutation generation.
- Embryonic stem cell technology reconstructs genetic lesions in human-identified tumor suppressor genes like p53 and Rb1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of transgenic and knockout mice in tumorigenesis research.
- To emphasize the role of these models in identifying novel tumor suppressor genes.
Main Methods:
- Generation of transgenic mice expressing oncogenes.
- Application of targeted mutagenesis in mouse embryonic stem cells.
- Utilizing embryonic stem cell technology to create germline mutations.
Main Results:
- Tumor susceptibility phenotypes in mutant mice reveal unexpected tumor suppressor gene functions.
- These models have been instrumental in studying genes like p53 and Rb1.
Conclusions:
- Transgenic and knockout mice are indispensable for understanding oncogenesis.
- These genetically engineered models will play a key role in discovering new tumor suppressor genes.