Application:
• Use of knockout technology in mice to determine gene function
A gene knockout is a genetic technique whereby a specific gene is rendered inoperative within an organism
- Using the Cre-LoxP system, this gene knockout can be targeted to specific tissues within the organism (conditional knockout)
The Cre-LoxP system uses the enzyme Cre recombinase to remove genetic sequences located between two Lox sites
- Using recombinant DNA technology, LoxP sequences are inserted on either side of a gene of interest in a test animal
- The Cre gene is inserted next to a tissue-specific promoter in another test animal
- When the two animals are bred, the resulting offspring will possess LoxP sequences and a tissue-specific Cre recombinase
- The Cre recombinase will remove the gene located between the Lox sites to create a conditional knockout for further study
Creating a Conditional Knockout with the Cre-LoxP System
