Skip to main content

The LoxP/CRE System and Genome Modification

  • Protocol
Gene Knockout Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 158))

Abstract

Conventional gene knockout technology by homologous recombination can provide important information toward elucidating the function of some genes; however, the role of many genes cannot be investigated due to early embryonic lethality. Alternatively, the role of a particular gene in adult tissues may be masked by developmental abnormalities in any knockout animals generated. The implementation of site specific recombinases, such as the bacteriophage P1 LoxP/CRE system, enables the development of conditional knockouts that lack a particular gene only in a specific tissue or after a specific stage of development. This system can also be used to facilitate transgene activation/inactivation in vivo, deletions of large stretches of genomic DNA, chromosomal translocation and subtle alterations to genes and/or their regulatory sequences in vivo.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Abremski, K., Hoess, R., and Sternberg, N. (1983) Studies on the properties of P1 site-specific recombination: evidence for topologically unlinked products following recombination. Cell 32, 1301–1311.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Abremski, K. and Hoess, R. (1984) Bacteriophage P1 site-specific recombination. Purification and properties of the Cre recombinase protein. J. Biol. Chem. 259, 1509–1514.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bouhassira, E. E., Westerman, K., and Leboulch, P. (1997) Transcriptional behavior of LCR enhancer elements integrated at the same chromosomal locus by recombination-mediated cassette exchange. Blood 90, 3332–3344.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Araki, K., Araki, M., and Yamamura, K. (1997) Targeted integration of DNA using mutant lox sites in embryonic stem cells. Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 868–872.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gu, H., Marth, J. D., Orban, P. C., Mossmann, H., and Rajewsky, K. (1994) Deletion of a DNA polymerase beta gene segment in T cells using cell type-specific gene targeting. Science 265, 103–106.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kilby, N. J., Snaith, M. R., and Murray, J. A. (1993) Site-specific recombinases: tools for genome engineering. Trends Genet. 9, 413–421.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lakso, M., Sauer, B., Mosinger, B., Jr., Lee, E. J., Manning, R. W., Yu, S. H., et al. (1992) Targeted oncogene activation by site-specific recombination in transgenic mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 6232–6236.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Akagi, K., Sandig, V., Vooijs, M., et al. (1997) Cre-mediated somatic site-specific recombination in mice. Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 1766–1773.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Smith, A. J., De Sousa, M. A., Kwabi-Addo, B., et al. (1995) A site-directed chromosomal translocation induced in embryonic stem cells by Cre-LoxP recombination. Nat. Genet. 9, 376–385.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gu, H., Zou, Y. R., and Rajewsky, K. (1993) Independent control of immunoglobulin switch recombination at individual switch regions evidenced through Cre-LoxP-mediated gene targeting. Cell 73, 1155–1164.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Sauer, B. and Henderson, N. (1988) The cyclization of linear DNA in Escherichia coli by site-specific recombination. Gene 70, 331–341.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Baubonis, W. and Sauer, B. (1993) Genomic targeting with purified Cre recombinase. Nucleic Acids Res. 21, 2025–2029.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Van Deursen, J., Fornerod, M., Van Rees, B., and Grosveld, G. (1995) Cre-mediated site-specific translocation between nonhomologous mouse chromosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92, 7376–7380.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wang, Y., Krushel, L. A., and Edelman, G. M. (1996) Targeted DNA recombination in vivo using an adenovirus carrying the cre recombinase gene. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 3932–3936.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Wilson, T.J., Kola, I. (2001). The LoxP/CRE System and Genome Modification. In: Tymms, M.J., Kola, I. (eds) Gene Knockout Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 158. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-220-1:83

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-220-1:83

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-572-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-220-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics