Abstract
A series of replication-competent, avian-specific retroviral vectors known as RCAS or RCAN have been developed by Hughes et al. (1) and used successfully by a rapidly expanding number of groups to assess gene function directly (e.g., refs. 2–14). These proviral vectors are derived from the Rous sarcoma virus and contain a unique ClaI restriction site in place of the region normally encoding the src oncogene, into which foreign DNA fragments of up to approx 2.4 kb can be inserted. An Escherichia coli plasmid backbone allows the gene of choice to be introduced by standard subcloning techniques, whereas retention of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences together with sequences encoding the viral gag, pol, and env genes facilitates viral replication and transmission. RCAN is a variant of RCAS from which the splice acceptor immediately upstream of the ClaI site has been removed preventing translation of the inserted gene and acts as a control for nonspecific effects owing to viral infection.
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Logan, C., Francis-West, P. (1999). Gene Transfer in Avian Embryos Using Replication-Competent Retroviruses. In: Sharpe, P.T., Mason, I. (eds) Molecular Embryology. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 97. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-270-8:539
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-270-8:539
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