Saturday Genetics Quiz #38: Creating Knockout Mice

Earlier this week, I mentioned PTEN knockout mice and their autism-like behavior. This week’s genetics quiz question asks:

How do you create a knockout mouse?

Answer:

Knockout mice are the result of genetic engineering that replaces or knocks out the mouse’s original gene with one that either doesn’t produce any protein product or has a different function. They’re created by using embryonic stem cells.

To create a knockout mouse, a DNA vector is constructed with two ends that are specific to the gene being targeted. When delivered into the embryonic stem cell, the natural process of recombination will allow the genetically engineered DNA vector to insert itself into the genome at the correct location.

Stem cells containing the genetically engineered DNA vector are put into recently fertilized embryos which are then transfered to a female mouse. The female mouse carries the genetically engineered knockout mice fetuses to term. Once the knockout mice with the desired characteristics are born, they can then be bred to each other via natural methods to create more knockout mice.

This answer is very simplistic. For more details, visit BioTeach.

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