Related Experiment Videos
Cisplatin increases meiotic crossing-over in mice
W H Hanneman1, M E Legare, S Sweeney
1The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA.
Summary
Researchers found that the anticancer drug cisplatin significantly increases germ-line recombination frequency in mice. This discovery enhances genetic mapping and positional cloning efficiency by boosting crossover events.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Genetic mapping in mammals relies on linkage analysis, with resolution dependent on offspring numbers and crossover proximity to genes.
- Increasing progeny or recombination frequency are key to improving mapping precision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of the anticancer drug cisplatin to induce germ-line recombination in mice.
- To establish an effective regimen for increasing recombination frequency.
Main Methods:
- Male mice were exposed to cisplatin.
- Mating occurred at various times post-exposure to assess offspring for inherited crossovers.
- Recombination frequency was quantified across three chromosomes.
Main Results:
- Cisplatin exposure resulted in a significant increase in germ-line crossover frequency across all examined chromosomes.
- A specific treatment regimen was identified that nearly doubled the natural crossover rate.
- The timing of the response indicated induction of crossovers during the early pachytene stage of meiosis I.
Conclusions:
- Cisplatin effectively induces germ-line recombination in mice.
- This method offers a more efficient approach to genetic mapping and positional cloning in mammalian models.
- Increased recombination frequency facilitates the identification of gene locations and mutations.