Generation of genetically modified rats from embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT: At present, genetically modified rats have not been generated from ES cells because stable ES cells and a suitable injection method are not available. To monitor the pluripotency of rat ES cells, we generated Oct4-Venus transgenic (Tg) rats via a conventional method, in which Venus is expressed by the Oct4 promoter/enhancer. This monitoring system enabled us to define a significant condition of culture to establish authentic rat ES cells based on a combination of 20% FBS and cell signaling inhibitors for Rho-associated kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, TGF-beta, and glycogen synthase kinase-3. The rat ES cells expressed ES cell markers such as Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Rex1 and retained a normal karyotype. Embryoid bodies and teratomas were also produced from the rat ES cells. All six

SUBMITTER: Kawamata M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2922613 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature