Efficient gene targeting by TAL effector nucleases coinjected with exonucleases in zygotes

Sci Rep. 2013:3:1253. doi: 10.1038/srep01253. Epub 2013 Feb 13.

Abstract

TAL Effector Nucleases (TALENs) are versatile tools for targeted gene editing in various species. However, their efficiency is still insufficient, especially in mammalian embryos. Here, we showed that combined expression of Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) with engineered site-specific TALENs provided highly efficient disruption of the endogenous gene in rat fibroblast cells. A similar increased efficiency of up to ~30% with Exo1 was also observed in fertilized rat eggs, and in the production of knockout rats for the albino (Tyr) gene. These findings demonstrate TALENs with Exo1 is an easy and efficient method of generating gene knockouts using zygotes, which increases the range of gene targeting technologies available to various species.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Endonucleases / genetics*
  • Endonucleases / metabolism
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / genetics*
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Gene Targeting*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Transfection
  • Zygote / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase
  • Endonucleases
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • exodeoxyribonuclease I