Abstract
Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a fast, sensitive, specific, and quantitative method for genotyping transgenic animals. Accurate quantitation of the number of transgenes helps to identify founders and to create and maintain pure lines of transgenic mice, thus reducing experimental variability. Here we describe an accurate method of genotyping using real-time quantitative PCR with primers and MGB TaqMan probes from Life Technologies. The first step in quantitating copy number is isolation of genomic DNA. To accurately compare the copies per genome (c/g) of a transgene in different mice, genomic DNA must be prepared by the same method for all the mice, with sample DNA and calibration standards dissolved in the same buffer. This chapter describes several “tried and true” methods, including an automatic system that isolates 16 samples at once in just 35–45 min, yielding DNA of excellent quality. Next, genomic DNA must be quantitated accurately so that similar amounts of DNA are added to each well. A fluorescent assay that is selective for dsDNA over RNA circumvents interference from RNA contamination and ensures more accurate DNA quantitation than A260 measurements. It is also very important to use appropriate calibration standards for accurate quantitation of transgene copy number. The best calibrator is the DNA fragment used for microinjection, mixed with normal mouse DNA in such a way that the transgene is present in a range of concentrations spanning the expected copy number in the transgenic mice. This chapter provides guidelines and sample calculations for preparing calibration standards that will accurately reflect the number of transgenes in the mice being tested. Finally, guidelines for preparing primers and TaqMan probes and techniques to prepare and run a 384-well plate smoothly and without errors are presented.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Nagy A, Gertenstein M, Vintersten K, Behringer R (2003) Chapter 12. Manipulating the mouse embryo: a laboratory manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Sambrook J, Russell DW (2001) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, vol 1. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, pp 6.33–6.64
Life Technologies. Real-time PCR handbook
Mullenbach R, Lagoda PJL, Welter C (1989) An efficient salt-chloroform extraction of DNA from blood and tissues. Trends Genet 5:391
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Vaisman, B.L. (2013). Genotyping of Transgenic Animals by Real-Time Quantitative PCR with TaqMan Probes. In: Freeman, L. (eds) Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Disease. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1027. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-369-5_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-369-5_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-368-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-369-5
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols