Gene knockout

In gene knockout, a total shutdown is (English knock- out = " incapacitate " ) understood a gene in the genome of an organism. Turning off the gene is achieved by gene targeting. The embryonic stem cells can be manipulated and introduced into the germ line of an individual in animals. They are further grown so that an animal is created whose cells contain all of the switched off gene. In plants, so far only gene targeting in Physcomitrella is established. Here protoplasts transfected with the knockout construct and directly to moss plant ( protonemata ) regenerated. An eight weeks post- transfection, the plants with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be checked for gene targeting.

According manipulated organisms are called knockout organism. If two genes switched off simultaneously, so it is called a double knockout ( DKO ) and three genes from a triple knockout ( TKO ).

Application

Organisms with switched-off genes have become indispensable in many areas of model organisms with which a variety of research and development projects are carried out. In basic research, the switching off of certain genes is used to draw conclusions on the function and operation of the gene. Very many genes are conserved in humans, so that the results often can be transmitted directly to humans. A number of human genetic disorders that are caused by genetic defects, can be better explore in such organisms. Drug development for the treatment of corresponding diseases is greatly facilitated by this model organisms.

In 2007, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in Martin Evans, Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies was awarded for her work in gene knockout mice.

Differentiation

For gene knockout, the affected gene is switched off completely. In contrast, gene knockin targeted gene modification is made, in which an additional gene is inserted at a defined location in the genome of the model organism. Random integration is referred to as transformation. The gene knockdown refers to a partial shutdown of the function of the gene.

Examples

Further Reading

  • T. W. Mak: The Gene Knockout Facts Book. Academic Press, 1998, ISBN 0-12-466044-4
  • R. Kühn and W. Wurst: Gene knockout protocols. Humana Press, 2009, ISBN 1-93-411526-6
  • A. Bartke: New findings in transgenic, gene knockout and mutant mice. In: Exp Gerontol 41, 2006, pp. 1217-1219. PMID 17049788
  • S. Tonegawa, among other things: The gene knockout technology for the analysis of learning and memory, and neural development. In: Prog Brain Res 105, 1995, pp. 3-14. PMID 7568891
  • HC Tai, among others: Progress in xenotransplantation Following the introduction of gene- knockout technology. In: Transpl Int 20, 2007, pp. 107-117. PMID 17239018
Myostatin Gene-Targeting Germline Digital Object Identifier Ralf Reski
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