WW6: An embryonic stem cell line with an inert genetic marker that can be traced in chimeras

Ella Ioffe, Yun Liu, Mantu Bhaumik, Francoise Poirier, Stephen M. Factor, Pamela Stanley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mutant mice produced by gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells often have a complex or embryonic lethal phenotype. In these cases, it would he helpful to identify tissues and cell types first affected in mutant embryos by following the contribution to chimeras of ES cells homozygous for the mutant allele. Although a number of strategies for following ES cell development in vivo have been reported, each has limitations that preclude its general application. In this paper, we describe ES cell lines that can be tracked to every nucleated cell type in chimeras at all developmental stages. These lines were derived from blastocysts of mice that carry an 11-Mb β- globin transgene on chromosome 3. The transgene is readily detected by DNA in situ hybridization, providing an inert, nuclear-localized marker whose presence is not affected by transcriptional or translational controls. The 'WW' series of ES lines possess the essential features of previously described ES lines, including giving rise to a preponderance of male chimeras, all of which have to date exhibited germ-line transmission. In addition, clones selected for single or double targeting events form strong chimeras, demonstrating the feasibility of using WW6 celts to identify phenotypes associated with the creation of a null mutant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7357-7361
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume92
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 1995

Keywords

  • DNA in situ hybridization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'WW6: An embryonic stem cell line with an inert genetic marker that can be traced in chimeras'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this