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Loss-of-Function Studies in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using the pHYPER shRNA Plasmid Vector

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RNAi and microRNA-Mediated Gene Regulation in Stem Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 650))

Abstract

RNA interference is widely used for loss-of-function studies in mammalian cells. As an alternative to the transfection of small RNAs, plasmid vectors have been developed to express short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). We engineered the pHYPER shRNA vector, which is based on a 2.5-kb mouse genomic fragment encompassing the H1 gene. We have previously shown that this shRNA vector is highly efficient for both transient transfection studies in embryonic stem (ES) cells and generation of stable ES cell lines. Following ES cell transfection, the H1 promoter of pHYPER is recognized by the RNA polymerase III machinery, which directs the transcription of the shRNA. We provide here detailed protocols that explain how to optimize the use of pHYPER in ES cells.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Sylvie Jounier and Hélène Humbertclaude for the production of feeder cells for ES cell culture. This work was supported by the Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer.

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Berlivet, S., Houlard, M., Gérard, M. (2010). Loss-of-Function Studies in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using the pHYPER shRNA Plasmid Vector. In: Zhang, B., Stellwag, E. (eds) RNAi and microRNA-Mediated Gene Regulation in Stem Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 650. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-769-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-769-3_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-768-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-769-3

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