Cre-mediated site-specific translocation between nonhomologous mouse chromosomes

Transgenics at breaking-point

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Forster et al. (2003) have generated mice that recapitulate both the mechanism (sporadic somatic translocation) and the consequences (expression of two translocation fusion genes) leading to an accurate leukemia model.

Engineering de novo reciprocal chromosomal translocations associated with Mll to replicate primary events of human cancer

The etiology of human tumors often involves chromosomal translocations. Models that emulate translocations are essential to understanding the determinants of frank malignancy, those dictating the restriction of translocations to specific lineages, and as a basis for development of rational therapeutic methods. We demonstrate that developmentally regulated Cre-loxP-mediated interchromosomal recombination between the Mll gene, whose human counterpart is involved in a spectrum of leukemias, and the Enl gene creates reciprocal chromosomal translocations that cause myeloid tumors. There is a rapid onset and high penetrance of leukemogenesis in these translocator mice, and high proportions of cells carrying chromosomal translocations can be found in bone marrow as early as 12 days after birth. This de novo strategy is a direct recapitulation of naturally occurring human cancer-associated translocations.

Tools for targeted manipulation of the mouse genome

In the postgenomic era the mouse will be central to the challenge of ascribing a function to the 40,000 or so genes that constitute our genome. In this review, we summarize some of the classic and modern approaches that have fueled the recent dramatic explosion in mouse genetics. Together with the sequencing of the mouse genome, these tools will have a profound effect on our ability to generate new and more accurate mouse models and thus provide a powerful insight into the function of human genes during the processes of both normal development and disease.

Slug, a highly conserved zinc finger transcriptional repressor, protects hematopoietic progenitor cells from radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo

We show here that a zinc finger transcriptional repressor, Slug, which is aberrantly upregulated by the E2A-HLF oncoprotein in pro-B cell acute leukemia, functions as an antiapoptotic factor in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. Slug(-/-) mice were much more radiosensitive than wild-type mice, dying earlier and showing accentuated decreases in peripheral blood cell counts, as well as abundant microhemorrhages and widely disseminated bacterial microabscesses throughout the body. Slug expression was detected in diverse subsets of hematopoietic progenitors, but not in more differentiated B and T lymphoid cells, and there was a significant increase in apoptotic (TUNEL-positive) bone marrow progenitor cells in irradiated Slug(-/-) mice compared to wild-type controls. These results implicate Slug in a novel survival pathway that protects hematopoietic progenitors from apoptosis after DNA damage.

The promiscuous MLL gene links chromosomal translocations to cellular differentiation and tumour tropism

MLL is a promiscuous gene involved in a diversity of chromosomal fusions in haematological malignancies, usually resulting from chromosomal translocations. MLL-associated chromosomal rearrangements usually occur in tumours of specific haematological lineages, suggesting a crucial role for the MLL fusion partner in determining disease phenotype (or tumour tropism). The MLL gene is homologous to Drosophila trithorax, and is likewise involved in embryo pattern formation. Common themes linking several of the MLL partners include a possible involvement in embryo patterning via Hox gene regulation and chromatin remodelling. These findings reinforce the link between developmental regulation and chromosomal translocations, and indicate the role of chromosomal translocation in activating genes capable of determining tumour phenotype in leukaemias and sarcomas.

Transcription factor fusions in acute leukemia: variations on a theme

The leukemia-associated fusion proteins share several structural or functional similarities, suggesting that they may impart a leukemic phenotype through common modes of transcriptional dysregulation. The fusion proteins generated by these translocations usually contain a DNA-binding domain, domains responsible for homo- or hetero-dimerization, and domains that interact with proteins involved in chromatin remodeling (e.g., co-repressor molecules or co-activator molecules). It is these shared features that constitute the 'variations on the theme' that underling the aberrant growth and differentiation that is the hallmark of acute leukemia cells.

Induced DNA recombination by Cre recombinase protein transduction

Cre is a DNA recombinase that recognizes 34 base-pair loxP sites of recombination. We have developed a cell-permeable Cre recombinase, TATCre, that is capable of mediating deletion of loxP-flanked targets by simply adding TATCre to cell cultures. Thus, TATCre allows efficient induced DNA recombination without the use of a Cre recombinase transgene or any other genetic material and should prove useful for the genetic manipulation of a wide variety of cell types that have been engineered to possess loxP sites.

Directed evolution of the site specificity of Cre recombinase

Cre recombinase from bacteriophage P1 recognizes a 34-bp recombination site, loxP, with exquisite sequence specificity and catalyzes the site-specific insertion, excision, or rearrangement of DNA. To better understand the molecular basis of protein-DNA recognition and generate recombinases with altered specificities, we have developed a directed evolution strategy that can be used to identify recombinases that recognize variant loxP sites. To be selected, members of a library of Cre variants produced by targeted random mutagenesis must rapidly catalyze recombination, in vivo, between two variant loxP sites that are located on a reporter plasmid. Recombination results in an altered pattern of fluorescent protein expression that can be identified by flow cytometry. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting can be used either to screen positively for recombinase variants that recognize a novel loxP site, or negatively for variants that cannot recognize the wild-type loxP site. The use of positive screening alone resulted in a relaxation of recombination site specificity, whereas a combination of positive and negative screening resulted in a switching of specificity. One of the identified recombinases selectively recombines a novel recombination site and operates at a rate identical to that of wild-type Cre. Analysis of the sequences of the resulting Cre variants provides insight into the evolution of these altered specificities. This and other systems should contribute to our understanding of protein-DNA recognition and may eventually be used to evolve custom-tailored recombinases that can be used for gene study and inactivation.

Epigenetic regulation of gene structure and function with a cell-permeable Cre recombinase

Studies of mammalian gene function are hampered by temporal limitations in which phenotypes occurring at one stage of development interfere with analysis at later stages. Moreover, phenotypes resulting from altered gene activity include both direct and indirect effects that may be difficult to distinguish. In the present study, recombinant fusion proteins bearing the 12 amino acid membrane translocation sequence (MTS) from the Kaposi fibroblast growth factor (FGF-4) were used to transduce enzymatically active Cre proteins directly into mammalian cells. High levels of recombination were observed in a variety of cultured cell types and in all tissues examined in mice following intraperitoneal administration. This represents the first use of protein transduction to induce the enzymatic conversion of a substrate in living cells and animals and provides a rapid and efficient means to manipulate mammalian gene structure and function.

Engineering chromosomal rearrangements in mice

The combination of gene-targeting techniques in mouse embryonic stem cells and the Cre/loxP site-specific recombination system has resulted in the emergence of chromosomal-engineering technology in mice. This advance has opened up new opportunities for modelling human diseases that are associated with chromosomal rearrangements. It has also led to the generation of visibly marked deletions and balancer chromosomes in mice, which provide essential reagents for maximizing the efficiency of large-scale mutagenesis efforts and which will accelerate the functional annotation of mammalian genomes, including the human genome.

Chromosomal translocation master genes, mouse models and experimental therapeutics

Molecular biologists have elucidated general principles about chromosomal translocations by cloning oncogenes or fusion genes at chromosomal translocation junctions. These genes invariably encode intracellular proteins and in acute cancers, often involve transcription and developmental regulators, which are master regulators of cell fate (e.g. LMO2 which is involved in acute leukaemia). Chromosomal translocations are usually associated with specific cell types. The reason for this close association is under investigation using mouse models. We are trying to emulate the cell-specific consequences of chromosomal translocations in mice using homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells to generate de novo chromosomal translocations or to mimic the consequence of these translocations. In addition, chromosomal translocation genes and their products are important targets for therapy. We have designed new therapeutic strategies which include antigen-specific recruitment of endogenous cellular pathways to affect cellular viability and a novel structured form of antisense to ablate the function of fusion mRNAs. We will evaluate these procedures in the mouse models of chromosomal translocations and the long term aim is to perfect rapid procedures for characterizing patient-specific chromosomal translocations to tailor therapy to individual patients.

Disruption of an imprinted gene cluster by a targeted chromosomal translocation in mice

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process in which the activity of a gene is determined by its parent of origin. Mechanisms governing genomic imprinting are just beginning to be understood. However, the tendency of imprinted genes to exist in chromosomal clusters suggests a sharing of regulatory elements. To better understand imprinted gene clustering, we disrupted a cluster of imprinted genes on mouse distal chromosome 7 using the Cre/loxP recombination system. In mice carrying a site-specific translocation separating Cdkn1c and Kcnq1, imprinting of the genes retained on chromosome 7, including Kcnq1, Kcnq1ot1, Ascl2, H19 and Igf2, is unaffected, demonstrating that these genes are not regulated by elements near or telomeric to Cdkn1c. In contrast, expression and imprinting of the translocated Cdkn1c, Slc22a1l and Tssc3 on chromosome 11 are affected, consistent with the hypothesis that elements regulating both expression and imprinting of these genes lie within or proximal to Kcnq1. These data support the proposal that chromosomal abnormalities, including translocations, within KCNQ1 that are associated with the human disease Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) may disrupt CDKN1C expression. These results underscore the importance of gene clustering for the proper regulation of imprinted genes.

Introducing defined chromosomal rearrangements into the mouse genome

Chromosomal rearrangements have been instrumental in genetic studies in Drosophila. Visibly marked deficiencies (deletions) are used in mapping studies and region-specific mutagenesis screens by providing segmental haploidy required to uncover recessive mutations. Marked recessive lethal inversions are used as balancer chromosomes to maintain recessive lethal mutations and to maintain the integrity of mutagenized chromosomes. In mice, studies on series of radiation-induced deletions that surround several visible mutations have yielded invaluable functional genomic information in the regions analyzed. However, most regions of the mouse genome are not accessible to such analyses due to a lack of marked chromosomal rearrangements. Here we describe a method to generate defined chromosomal rearrangements using the Cre--loxP recombination system based on a published strategy [R. Ramirez-Solis, P. Liu, and A. Bradley, (1995) Nature 378, 720--724]. Various types of rearrangements, such as deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations, can be engineered using this strategy. Furthermore, the rearrangements can be visibly marked with coat color genes, providing essential reagents for large-scale recessive genetic screens in the mouse. The ability to generate marked chromosomal rearrangements will help to elevate the level of manipulative mouse genetics to that of Drosophila genetics.

"Gene-swap knock-in" cassette in mice to study allelic differences in human genes

Genetic differences in environmental toxicity and cancer susceptibility among individuals in a human population often reflect polymorphisms in the genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs), drug transporters, and receptors that control DME levels. This field of study is called "ecogenetics", and a subset of this field--concerning genetic variability in response to drugs--is termed "pharmacogenetics". Although human-mouse differences might be 3- to perhaps 10-fold, human interindividual differences can be as great as 20-fold or more than 40-fold. It would be helpful, therefore, to study toxicokinetics/pharmacokinetics of particular environmental agents and drugs in mice containing these "high-" and "low-extreme" human alleles. We hope to use transgenic "knock-in" technology in order to insert human alleles in place of the orthologous mouse gene. However, the knock-in of each gene has normally been a separate event requiring the following: (a) construction of the targeting vector, (b) transfection into embryonic stem (ES) cells, (c) generation of a targeted mouse having germline transmission of the construct, and (d) backcross breeding of the knock-in mouse (at least 6-8 times) to produce a suitable genetically homogeneous background (i.e., to decrease "experimental noise"). These experiments require 1 1/2 to 2 years to complete, making this very powerful technology inefficient for routine applications. If, on the other hand, the initial knock-in targeting vector might include sequences that would allow the knocked-in gene to be exchanged (quickly and repeatedly) for one new allele after another, then testing distinctly different human polymorphic alleles in transgenic mice could be accomplished in a few months instead of several years. This "gene-swapping" technique will soon be done by zygotic injection of a "human allele cassette" into the sperm or fertilized ovum of the parental knock-in mouse inbred strain or by the cloning of whole mice from cumulus ovaricus cells or tail-snip fibroblasts containing the nucleus wherein each new human allele has already been "swapped." In mouse cells in culture using heterotypic lox sites, we and others have already succeeded in gene swapping, by exchanging one gene, including its regulatory regions, with a second gene (including its regulatory regions). It is anticipated that mouse lines carrying numerous human alleles will become commonplace early in the next millennium.

Mouse Models of Human Chromosomal Translocations and Approaches to Cancer Therapy

Cancer arises because of genetic changes in somatic cells, eventually giving rise to overt malignancy. Principle among genetic changes found in tumor cells are chromosomal translocations which give rise to fusion genes or enforced oncogene expression. These mutations are tumor-specific and result in production of tumor-specific mRNAs and proteins and are attractive targets for therapy. Also, in acute leukemias, many of these molecules are transcription regulators which involve cell-type-specific complexes, offering an alternative therapy via interfering with protein-protein interaction. We are studying these various features of tumor cells to evaluate new therapeutic methods. We describe a mouse model of de novo chromosomal translocations using the Cre-loxP system in which interchromosomal recombination occurs between the Mll and Af9 genes. We are also developing other in vivo methods designed, like the Cre-loxP system, to emulate the effects of these chromosomal abnormalities in human tumors. In addition, we describe new technologies to facilitate the intracellular targeting of fusion mRNAs and proteins resulting from such chromosomal translocations. These include a masked antisense RNA method with the ability to discriminate between closely related RNA targets and the selection and use of intracellular antibodies to bind to target proteins in vivo and cause cell death. These approaches should also be adaptable to targeting point mutations or to differentially expressed tumor-associated proteins. We hope to develop therapeutic approaches for use in cancer therapy after testing their efficacy in our mouse models of human cancer.

The Cre-loxP system: a versatile tool for targeting genes in a cell- and stage-specific manner

Gene-targeted mice, derived from embryonic stem cells, are useful tools to study gene function during development. However, if the inactivation of the target gene results in embryonic lethality, the postdevelopmental function of the gene cannot be further studied. The Cre recombinase-loxP (Cre-loxP) system was developed to overcome this limitation as well as to confine the inactivation of the target gene in a cell- or tissue-specific manner. This system allows for the inactivation of the target gene in a single cell type, thereby allowing the analysis of physiological and pathophysiological consequences of the genetic alteration in mature animals. A unique property of the insulin gene to be expressed only in pancreatic beta cells has allowed using the beta-cell-specific rat insulin promoter (RIP) for Cre recombinase expression to inactivate genes in beta cells. The RIP has been used to inactivate genes in beta cells and analysis of these genetically altered mice has provided important information regarding the role of potential transcription factors and the receptors in vivo, for regulation of insulin gene transcription and in the development of beta cells. The Cre-loxP system is at a relatively early stage of development, and the ability of this technique to virtually target any gene in any tissue at any stage of development makes the study of gene function in a single cell type in vivo an attainable goal. It is anticipated that the continued experience with this system will provide an important tool to determine the role of the transcription factors involved in insulin gene regulation and islet cell differentiation and ultimately provide the basis for novel therapy to treat diabetes.

Manipulation of human minichromosomes to carry greater than megabase-sized chromosome inserts

For introducing regions of human chromosomes greater than a megabase into cells or animals, we have developed a chromosome-cloning system in which defined regions of human chromosomes can be cloned into a stable human minichromosome vector in homologous recombination-proficient chicken DT40 cells. The stable minichromosome vector allowed a 10 Mb-sized region of the mitotically unstable human chromosome 22 to be stably maintained in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, and in mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated functional expression of human genes from the HAC in mice. This study describes a stable cloning and expression system for greater than megabase-sized regions of human chromosomes.

Genetic modification of mammalian genome at chromosome level

The review is concerned with a progress in genetic modification of a mammalian genome in vitro and in vivo at chromosomal level. Recently three new approaches for the chromosome biotechnology have been developed: Using Cre/loxP-system a researcher is able to produce targeted rearrangements of whole chromosomes or their segments or particular genes within the genome, and therefore to modify the set, position and copy number of the endogenous elements of the genome. Mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) provide a possibility to introduce into genome relatively large segments of alien chromosome material, either artificially constructed or derived from the genome of different species. Using ES-somatic cell hybrids allows to transfer whole chromosomes or their fragments between different genomes within and between species. Advantages and limitations of these approaches are discussed.

Cre-lox site-specific recombination between Arabidopsis and tobacco chromosomes

To create hybrid chromosomes, we tested the Cre-lox system to mediate recombination between Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum chromosomes. Protoplasts of the two plants were fused to allow site-specific recombination to join a promoter from tobacco to a hygromycin resistance coding-region from Arabidopsis. The expected recombination junction was detected in hygromycin-resistant calli. Analysis of one hybrid suspension cell line revealed the presence of markers corresponding to the north arm of Arabidopsis chromosome III, but not markers from other chromosome arms. However, these markers were not detected in regenerated plants. With a second hybrid cell line we obtained a single hygromycin-resistant progeny from approximately 18 000 self-fertilized seeds of one regenerated plant. Molecular analysis of this hybrid indicated that a small portion of the north arm of Arabidopsis chromosome V is present in the tobacco genome. However, neither the recombination junction nor Arabidopsis DNA was detected in tissue from the plant grown without selection or in the subsequent generation. Thus interspecies transfer of a chromosome arm between plant cells is possible, but maintenance of the hybrid chromosome in a plant is unlikely. The feasibility of site-specific recombination between genomes of different species offers new possibilities for engineering hybrid chromosomes that may be maintained in cell culture.

Inter-chromosomal recombination of Mll and Af9 genes mediated by cre-loxP in mouse development

Chromosomal translocations are crucial events in the aetiology of many leukaemias, lymphomas and sarcomas, resulting in enforced oncogene expression or the creation of novel fusion genes. The study of the biological outcome of such events ideally requires recapitulation of the tissue specificity and timing of the chromosomal translocation itself. We have used the Cre-loxP system of phage P1 to induce de novo Mll-Af9 chromosomal recombination during mouse development. loxP sites were introduced into the Mll and Af9 genes on chromosomes 9 and 4, respectively, and mice carrying these alleles were crossed with mice expressing Cre recombinase. A resulting Mll-Af9 fusion gene was detected whose transcription and splicing were verified. Thus, programmed interchromosomal recombination can be achieved in mice. This approach should allow the design of mouse models of tumorigenesis with greater biological relevance than those available at present.

Inducible chromosomal translocation of AML1 and ETO genes through Cre/loxP-mediated recombination in the mouse

Transgenic mice have been used to explore the role of chromosomal translocations in the genesis of tumors. But none of these efforts has actually involved induction of a translocation in vivo. Here we report the use of Cre recombinase to replicate in vivo the t(8;21) translocation found in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As in the human tumors, the murine translocation fuses the genes AML1 and ETO. We used homologous recombination to place loxP sites at loci that were syntenic with the break points for the human translocation. Cre activity was provided in mice by a transgene under the control of the Nestin promoter, or in cultured B cells by infecting with a retroviral vector encoding Cre. In both instances, Cre activity mediated interchromosomal translocations that fused the AML1 and ETO genes. Thus, reciprocal chromosomal translocations that closely resemble rearrangements found in human cancers can be achieved in mice.

Conditional gene targeting and its application in the skin

The knockout mouse is one of the most useful experimental animal systems in which to clarify functions of identified genes in vivo. Numerous knockout mice have been produced, and studies in these models have revealed new aspects in various biological fields. In fair cases, however, mice died during embryogenesis due to complete gene disruption, making it difficult to elucidate functions of given genes in adulthood. To avoid this, conditional gene targeting has been performed and shown to be effective on numerous cases. Here, we will overview established strategies for conditional gene targeting and present the results of our recent studies using the Cre/loxP system in the skin.

Dual renin gene targeting by Cre-mediated interchromosomal recombination

This study describes a new approach to targeting clustered genes. Our study began with the establishment of two lines of mice carrying different mutations in either Ren1 or Ren2. These two genes, both encoding renin, span over 40 kb in tandem on chromosome 1. Each gene was mutated by gene targeting to contain loxP sites. These two mutants and Cre transgenic mice were mated to produce offspring carrying the mutant Ren1 and Ren2 genes, as well as the Cre transgene concurrently. Initially, two mutant Ren genes were located on separate chromosomes. Southern analysis of mice from the second generation revealed that the mutant Ren1 and Ren2 were interchromosomally recombined at the loxP sites to produce a new dually mutated allele on the chromosome at the rate of 9.6% (7/73). Thus, interchromosomal recombination can be efficiently programmed by mating as designed using the Cre-loxP system.

Manipulating the germline: its impact on the study of carcinogenesis

Over the past two decades, the mouse has established itself as the primary organism in which to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of carcinogenesis and to model human neoplasia. The principal reason underlying such dominance almost certainly arises out of our ever increasing ability to manipulate the murine germline. Over the past 20 years we have moved from a position where animal models arose either spontaneously or were generated through exposure to carcinogen to a position in which it is possible to create and study precise mutations of choice. The most recent advances in inducible and conditional technologies now open the possibility for both temporal and tissue-specific gene manipulation. Each of these technological breakthroughs has facilitated significant steps forward in our understanding of the genetic basis of tumorigenesis. This review will highlight some of the major advances in the production and use of murine models of neoplasia over the last two decades.

Double trans-chromosomic mice: maintenance of two individual human chromosome fragments containing Ig heavy and kappa loci and expression of fully human antibodies

The use of a human chromosome or its fragment as a vector for animal transgenesis may facilitate functional studies of large human genomic regions. We describe here the generation and analysis of double trans-chromosomic (Tc) mice harboring two individual human chromosome fragments (hCFs). Two transmittable hCFs, one containing the Ig heavy chain locus (IgH, approximately 1.5 Mb) and the other the kappa light chain locus (Igkappa, approximately 2 Mb), were introduced into a mouse strain whose endogenous IgH and Igkappa loci were inactivated. In the resultant double-Tc/double-knockout mice, substantial proportion of the somatic cells retained both hCFs, and the rescue in the defect of Ig production was shown by high level expression of human Ig heavy and kappa chains in the absence of mouse heavy and kappa chains. In addition, serum expression profiles of four human Ig gamma subclasses resembled those seen in humans. They mounted an antigen-specific human antibody response upon immunization with human serum albumin, and human serum albumin-specific human monoclonal antibodies with various isotypes were obtained from them. These results represent a generation of mice with "humanized" loci by using the transmittable hCFs, which suggest that the Tc technology may allow for the humanization of over megabase-sized, complex loci in mice or other animals. Such animals may be useful not only for studying in vivo functions of the human genome but also for obtaining various therapeutic products.

Predetermined chromosomal deletion encompassing the Nf-1 gene

Complex chromosomal rearrangements (deletions, inversions, translocations) are a hallmark of human tumour cells. Yet, the generation of animal models for gross chromosomal abnormalities still presents a formidable challenge. Here, we describe a versatile procedure for chromosomal engineering that was used to generate an ES cell line with a megabase deletion encompassing the tumour suppressor gene neurofibromatosis-1 (Nf-1) on mouse chromosome 11, which is often deleted in tumours of neural crest origin. Homologous recombination into sites flanking Nf-1 was used to introduce artificial sequences (triple-helix, loxP, vector backbone) that can be employed for in vitro recovery of intervening sequences or the generation of in vivo deletions. This strategy may be developed into a scheme by which large chromosomal regions with precisely defined end points may be excised from mammalian cells and reintroduced after suitable in vitro modification.

Retrovirus vectors designed for efficient transduction of cytotoxic or cytostatic genes

It is difficult to establish stable packaging cell lines producing retrovirus vectors for the expression of anti-oncogenes with cytotoxic or cytostatic potential, because these genes would also affect the growth of the packaging cell lines. To overcome this problem, we designed a transcriptional unit pBabeLPL for vector RNA production, in which the transcription of the exogenous genes is completely suppressed by the presence of a preceding insertion containing the puromycin resistance gene (puro) and a poly(A) addition signal. This insertion is flanked by a tandem pair of loxP, and is designed to be excised after the introduction of Cre recombinase, when transcription of the exogenous gene will be started from the 5'-LTR. The transcriptional unit car- rying LacZ or p53 as the exogenous gene was introduced into a previously constructed prepackaging cell lines PtG-S2, in which the expression of VSV-G is also designed to be initiated by the introduction of Cre recombinase, while the gag-pol gene is expressed continuously. After the introduction of Cre recombinase by an adenovirus vector, LacZ- or p53-expressing VSV-G-pseudotyped retrovirus vectors with the designed structure were produced at high virus titers. The p53 virus was shown to be able to transduce p53 into the entire population of several human cancer cell lines and to induce their growth arrest at the G1 phase, indicating that this vector-producing system will be advantageous for human gene therapy.

In vivo analysis of the molecular pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia in the mouse and its therapeutic implications

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the expansion of malignant myeloid cells blocked at the promyelocytic stage of hemopoietic development, and is associated with reciprocal chromosomal translocations always involving the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARalpha) gene on chromosome 17. As a consequence of the translocation RARalpha variably fuses to the PML, PLZF, NPM and NUMA genes (X genes), leading to the generation of RARalpha-X and X-RARalpha fusion genes. The aberrant chimeric proteins encoded by these genes may exert a crucial role in leukemogenesis. Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of vitamin A, can overcome the block of maturation at the promyelocytic stage and induce the malignant cells to terminally mature into granulocytes resulting in complete albeit transient disease remission. APL has become, for this reason, the paradigm for 'cancer differentiation therapy'. Furthermore, APL associated with translocation between the RARalpha and the PLZF genes (PLZF-RARalpha) shows a distinctly worse prognosis with poor response to chemotherapy and little or no response to treatment with RA, thus defining a new APL syndrome. Here we will focus our attention on the recent progresses made in defining the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this paradigmatic disease in vivo in the mouse. We will review the critical contribution of mouse modeling in unraveling the transcriptional basis for the differential response to RA in APL. We will also discuss how this new understanding has allowed to propose, develop and test in these murine leukemia models as well as in human APL patients novel therapeutic strategies.

Mice lacking all conventional MHC class II genes

MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules play a central role in the selection of the T cell repertoire, in the establishment and regulation of the adaptive immune response, and in autoimmune deviation. We have generated knockout mice lacking all four of the classical murine MHC-II genes (MHCII(Delta/Delta) mice), via a large (80-kilobase) deletion of the entire class II region that was engineered by homologous recombination and Cre recombinase-mediated excision. These mice feature immune system perturbations like those of Aalpha and Abeta knockout animals, notably a dearth of CD4(+) lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen. No new anatomical or physiological abnormalities were observed in MHCII(Delta/Delta) mice. Because these animals are devoid of all classical MHC-II chains, even unpaired chains, they make excellent recipients for MHC-II transgenes from other species, avoiding the problem of interspecies cross-pairing of MHC-II chains. Therefore, they should be invaluable for engineering "humanized" mouse models of human MHC-II-associated autoimmune disorders.

Beta cell-specific ablation of target gene using Cre-loxP system in transgenic mice

Tissue-specific inactivation of a gene using the Cre-loxP system has been used as an important tool to define its role in which the inactivation of the gene in every cell type results in an embryonic lethality. The expression of Cre recombinase (Cre) can be regulated by controlling the timing or spatial distribution of Cre expression via tissue-specific promoters, ligand-inducible promoters, and ligand-dependent Cre fusion proteins. The rat insulin promoter (RIP) has been used in this study to drive the expression of Cre, specifically in the beta cells. The Cre coding sequence was ligated with the RIP and the isolated RIP-Cre transgene was microinjected into one cell embryo to establish a transgenic mouse line. Tissue specificity of the rat insulin promoter was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using total RNA from pancreas and other tissues of the RIP-Cre transgenic mice. In addition, the efficiency and specificity of RIP was further analyzed by crossbreeding the RIP-Cre transgenic mice with reporter mice bearing a beta-actin-loxP-CAT-loxP-lacZ transgene. In these mice, lacZ is expressed only after excision of the floxed-CAT gene by Cre-mediated recombination. Here, we present the data for beta cell-specific expression of lacZ in the bigenic mice, as proof of concept in a mouse model for targeting beta cell-specific gene(s). The RIP-Cre transgenic mice will be used as a potential tool for targeting the excision of beta cell-specific gene(s) to study their role in islet cell physiology.

Mouse autosomal trisomy: two's company, three's a crowd

Autosomal trisomy causes a large proportion of all human pregnancy loss and so is a significant source of lethality in the human population. The autosomal trisomy syndromes each have a different phenotype and are probably caused by the effects of specific genes that are present in three copies, rather than the normal two. Identifying these genes will require the application of classical genetic and new genome-manipulation approaches. Recent advances in chromosome engineering are now allowing us to create precisely defined autosomal trisomies in the mouse, and so provide new routes to identifying the critical, dosage-sensitive genes that are responsible for these highly deleterious, yet very common, syndromes.

Development of a transgenic mouse model using rat insulin promoter to drive the expression of CRE recombinase in a tissue-specific manner

BACKGROUND

Tissue-specific ablation of a gene using the Cre-loxP system has been used as an important tool to define its role, in addition to the total ablation, to avoid the embryonic lethality in case of wide expression of the target gene.

METHODS

The RIP-Cre genetic construct was generated by standard subcloning techniques and microinjected into one cell embryo to develop the transgenic mouse line. Transgenic mice were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using DNA isolated from tell digestion. Tissue specificity of RIP was demonstrated by transient transfection of RIP-1acZ construct to NIT-1 cells (mouse insulinoma cell line) in vitro.

RESULTS

The 448 nucleotides of RIP were sufficient for beta-cell specific expression of the reporter gene as evidenced by the presence of blue color in the nucleus of NIT-1 cells. Isolated RIP-Cre transgene was microinjected, and PCR screening identified two independent lines of transgenic mice. Tissue specificity of RIP was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the islet RNA from the transgenic mice.

CONCLUSION

We have established a tissue-specific transgenic mouse model using Cre recombinase linked to rat insulin promoter (RIP) to drive the expression of the reporter gene specifically in the beta-cells. The RIP-Cre transgenic mice will allow beta-cell specific ablation of target gene(s) to define its role in the regulation of islet physiology.

Ten years of gene targeting: targeted mouse mutants, from vector design to phenotype analysis

Gene targeting, defined as the introduction of site-specific modifications into the genome by homologous recombination, has revolutionarized the field of mouse genetics and allowed the analysis of diverse aspects of gene function in vivo. It is now possible to engineer specific genetic alterations ranging from subtle mutations to chromosomal rearrangements and more recently, even tissue-specific inducible gene targeting with temporo-spatial control has become feasible. This review tries to recapitulate what we have learned in this extremely rapidly expanding field during the past decade. Diverse aspects of the technique will be discussed starting from basic construct design to the analysis of complex phenotypes, including recent advances on inducible expression system. Many examples from different areas of biomedical research are given to illustrate the purpose and limitations of the employed experimental approaches.

The prokaryotic beta-recombinase catalyzes site-specific recombination in mammalian cells

The development of new strategies for the in vivo modification of eukaryotic genomes has become an important objective of current research. Site-specific recombination has proven useful, as it allows controlled manipulation of murine, plant, and yeast genomes. Here we provide the first evidence that the prokaryotic site-specific recombinase (beta-recombinase), which catalyzes only intramolecular recombination, is active in eukaryotic environments. beta-Recombinase, encoded by the beta gene of the Gram-positive broad host range plasmid pSM19035, has been functionally expressed in eukaryotic cell lines, demonstrating high avidity for the nuclear compartment and forming a clear speckled pattern when assayed by indirect immunofluorescence. In simian COS-1 cells, transient beta-recombinase expression promoted deletion of a DNA fragment lying between two directly oriented specific recognition/crossing over sequences (six sites) located as an extrachromosomal DNA substrate. The same result was obtained in a recombination-dependent lacZ activation system tested in a cell line that stably expresses the beta-recombinase protein. In stable NIH/3T3 clones bearing different number of copies of the target sequences integrated at distinct chromosomal locations, transient beta-recombinase expression also promoted deletion of the intervening DNA, independently of the insertion position of the target sequences. The utility of this new recombination tool for the manipulation of eukaryotic genomes, used either alone or in combination with the other recombination systems currently in use, is discussed.

Der(22) syndrome and velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome share a 1.5-Mb region of overlap on chromosome 22q11

Derivative 22 (der[22]) syndrome is a rare disorder associated with multiple congenital anomalies, including profound mental retardation, preauricular skin tags or pits, and conotruncal heart defects. It can occur in offspring of carriers of the constitutional t(11;22)(q23;q11) translocation, owing to a 3:1 meiotic malsegregation event resulting in partial trisomy of chromosomes 11 and 22. The trisomic region on chromosome 22 overlaps the region hemizygously deleted in another congenital anomaly disorder, velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome (VCFS/DGS). Most patients with VCFS/DGS have a similar 3-Mb deletion, whereas some have a nested distal deletion endpoint resulting in a 1.5-Mb deletion, and a few rare patients have unique deletions. To define the interval on 22q11 containing the t(11;22) breakpoint, haplotype analysis and FISH mapping were performed for five patients with der(22) syndrome. Analysis of all the patients was consistent with 3:1 meiotic malsegregation in the t(11;22) carrier parent. FISH-mapping studies showed that the t(11;22) breakpoint occurred in the same interval as the 1.5-Mb distal deletion breakpoint for VCFS. The deletion breakpoint of one VCFS patient with an unbalanced t(18;22) translocation also occurred in the same region. Hamster-human somatic hybrid cell lines from a patient with der(22) syndrome and a patient with VCFS showed that the breakpoints occurred in an interval containing low-copy repeats, distal to RANBP1 and proximal to ZNF74. The presence of low-copy repetitive sequences may confer susceptibility to chromosome rearrangements. A 1.5-Mb region of overlap on 22q11 in both syndromes suggests the presence of dosage-dependent genes in this interval.

Mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker for studies of gene function in neuronal morphogenesis

We describe a genetic mosaic system in Drosophila, in which a dominant repressor of a cell marker is placed in trans to a mutant gene of interest. Mitotic recombination events between homologous chromosomes generate homozygous mutant cells, which are exclusively labeled due to loss of the repressor. Using this system, we are able to visualize axonal projections and dendritic elaboration in large neuroblast clones and single neuron clones with a membrane-targeted GFP marker. This new method allows for the study of gene functions in neuroblast proliferation, axon guidance, and dendritic elaboration in the complex central nervous system. As an example, we show that the short stop gene is required in mushroom body neurons for the extension and guidance of their axons.

Inducible gene targeting in mice using the Cre/lox system

Molecular techniques now allow the design of precise genetic modifications in the mouse. Not only can defined nucleotide changes be engineered into the genome of the mouse, but genetic switches can be designed to target expression or ablation of any gene (for which basic molecular information is available) to any tissue at any defined time. These strategies promise to contribute substantially to an increased understanding of individual gene function in development and pathogenesis. A powerful tool, both for the design of such genetic switches and for speeding the creation of gene-modified animals, is the Cre site-specific DNA recombinase of bacteriophage P1. Precise DNA rearrangements and genetic switches can be efficiently generated in a straightforward manner using Cre recombinase. In conjunction with inducible systems for controlling Cre expression and function, these recombination-based strategies are likely to have a profound impact on developmental biology and the generation of useful animal models of human disease.

Exploring development and disease through germ-line genetic engineering in the mouse

New developments in mouse genetics have transformed the field of genetics from a reactive to a proactive science. Current technologies in transgenesis, chromosome engineering, and saturation mutagenesis are introduced. These approaches permit the creation of new mutations and consequent mutant phenotypes that facilitate both the understanding of functions of existing genes and the search for previously unidentified genes affecting important phenotypes in all mammals.

Comparative mapping of the human 22q11 chromosomal region and the orthologous region in mice reveals complex changes in gene organization

The region of human chromosome 22q11 is prone to rearrangements. The resulting chromosomal abnormalities are involved in Velo-cardio-facial and DiGeorge syndromes (VCFS and DGS) (deletions), "cat eye" syndrome (duplications), and certain types of tumors (translocations). As a prelude to the development of mouse models for VCFS/DGS by generating targeted deletions in the mouse genome, we examined the organization of genes from human chromosome 22q11 in the mouse. Using genetic linkage analysis and detailed physical mapping, we show that genes from a relatively small region of human 22q11 are distributed on three mouse chromosomes (MMU6, MMU10, and MMU16). Furthermore, although the region corresponding to about 2.5 megabases of the VCFS/DGS critical region is located on mouse chromosome 16, the relative organization of the region is quite different from that in humans. Our results show that the instability of the 22q11 region is not restricted to humans but may have been present throughout evolution. The results also underscore the importance of detailed comparative mapping of genes in mice and humans as a prerequisite for the development of mouse models of human diseases involving chromosomal rearrangements.

Tumor suppression at the mouse INK4a locus mediated by the alternative reading frame product p19ARF

The INK4a tumor suppressor locus encodes p16INK4a, an inhibitor of cyclin D-dependent kinases, and p19ARF, an alternative reading frame protein that also blocks cell proliferation. Surprisingly, mice lacking p19ARF but expressing functional p16INK4a develop tumors early in life. Their embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) do not senesce and are transformed by oncogenic Ha-ras alone. Conversion of ARF+/+ or ARF+/- MEF strains to continuously proliferating cell lines involves loss of either p19ARF or p53. p53-mediated checkpoint control is unperturbed in ARF-null fibroblast strains, whereas p53-negative cell lines are resistant to p19ARF-induced growth arrest. Therefore, INK4a encodes growth inhibitory proteins that act upstream of the retinoblastoma protein and p53. Mutations and deletions targeting this locus in cancer cells are unlikely to be functionally equivalent.

Convenient and reversible site-specific targeting of exogenous DNA into a bacterial chromosome by use of the FLP recombinase: the FLIRT system

We have created a system that utilizes the FLP recombinase of yeast to introduce exogenous cloned DNA reversibly at defined locations in the Escherichia coli chromosome. Recombination target (FRT) sites can be introduced permanently at random locations in the chromosome on a modified Tn5 transposon, now designed so that the inserted FRT can be detected and its location mapped with base pair resolution. FLP recombinase is provided as needed through the regulated expression of its gene on a plasmid. Exogenous DNA is introduced on a cloning vector that contains an FRT, selectable markers, and a replication origin designed to be deleted prior to electroporation for targeting purposes. High yields of targeted integrants are obtained, even in a recA background. This system permits rapid and precise excision of the introduced DNA when needed, without destroying the cells. The efficiency of targeting appears to be affected only modestly by transcription initiation upstream of the chromosomal FRT site. With rare exceptions, FRTs introduced to the bacterial chromosome are targeted with high efficiency regardless of their location. The system should facilitate studies of bacterial genome structure and function, simplify a wide range of chromosomal cloning applications, and generally enhance the utility of E. coli as an experimental organism in biotechnology.

Gene recombination in postmitotic cells. Targeted expression of Cre recombinase provokes cardiac-restricted, site-specific rearrangement in adult ventricular muscle in vivo

Mouse models of human disease can be generated by homologous recombination for germline loss-of-function mutations. However, embryonic-lethal phenotypes and systemic, indirect dysfunction can confound the use of knock-outs to elucidate adult pathophysiology. Site-specific recombination using Cre recombinase can circumvent these pitfalls, in principle, enabling temporal and spatial control of gene recombination. However, direct evidence is lacking for the feasibility of Cre-mediated recombination in postmitotic cells. Here, we exploited transgenic mouse technology plus adenoviral gene transfer to achieve Cre-mediated recombination in cardiac muscle. In vitro, Cre driven by cardiac-specific alpha-myosin heavy chain (alphaMyHC) sequences elicited recombination selectively at loxP sites in purified cardiac myocytes, but not cardiac fibroblasts. In vivo, this alphaMyHC-Cre transgene elicited recombination in cardiac muscle, but not other organs, as ascertained by PCR analysis and localization of a recombination-dependent reporter protein. Adenoviral delivery of Cre in vivo provoked recombination in postmitotic, adult ventricular myocytes. Recombination between loxP sites was not detected in the absence of Cre. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using Cre-mediated recombination to regulate gene expression in myocardium, with efficient induction of recombination even in terminally differentiated, postmitotic muscle cells. Moreover, delivery of Cre by viral infection provides a simple strategy to control the timing of recombination in myocardium.

Advances in gene targeting methods

Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells is commonly used for gene inactivation and the generation of mouse mutants. The combined use of methods for site-specific and homologous DNA recombination expands the potential of gene targeting in embryonic stem cells considerably and offers the opportunity of conditional gene targeting in mice.

Efficient removal of loxP-flanked DNA sequences in a gene-targeted locus by transient expression of Cre recombinase in fertilized eggs

The bacteriophage P1 Cre/loxP site-specific recombination system is a useful tool for engineering chromosomal changes in animal cells. Transient expression of the Cre recombinase gene directly introduced into fertilized eggs by pronuclear injection has been reported to provide an efficient method of transgene modulation in fertilized eggs. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of this method to remove loxP-flanked DNA sequences in a gene-targeted locus in fertilized eggs. We replaced a part of the T-cell receptor gamma (TCR V gamma) locus with homologous sequences containing a loxP-flanked neogene in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by gene-targeting technique. The resulting ES cell clones containing the mutant allele (V gamma LNL) were used to generate chimeric mice by blastocyst injection. Eight male chimeras were bred with superovulated wild-type female mice. One hundred and seventy-six fertilized eggs were collected, and subjected to pronuclear injection of the Cre expression plasmid, pCAGGS-Cre, of a covalently closed circular form. Three out of 11 pups inherited the targeted V gamma locus. The inherited targeted allele of these 3 mice was shown to have undergone Cre-mediated recombination, resulting in a deletion of the loxP-flanked sequences (V gamma delta) as shown by Southern blot analysis of DNA from tail biopsies. All 3 founder mutant mice were capable of transmitting the V gamma delta locus to their offspring. The other 8 pups carried only wild-type alleles. There were no pups carrying the unrecombined V gamma LNL locus. Thus, the frequency of Cre-mediated recombination was 100% (3/3) with this method. In contrast, when closed circular pCAGGS-Cre plasmid was introduced into ES cells by electroporation, the recombination frequency of the V gamma LNL locus was 9.6%. These results indicated that our system based on transient expression of the Cre recombinase gene directly introduced into fertilized eggs by pronuclear injection provides a fast and efficient method for generating mutant mice with desired deletions or translocations in target genes.