Immunoglobulin knockout chickens via efficient homologous recombination in primordial germ cells.

ABSTRACT: Gene targeting by homologous recombination or by sequence-specific nucleases allows the precise modification of genomes and genes to elucidate their functions. Although gene targeting has been used extensively to modify the genomes of mammals, fish, and amphibians, a targeting technology has not been available for the avian genome. Many of the principles of humoral immunity were discovered in chickens, yet the lack of gene targeting technologies in birds has limited biomedical research using this species. Here we describe targeting the joining (J) gene segment of the chicken Ig heavy chain gene by homologous recombination in primordial germ cells to establish fully transgenic chickens carrying the knockout. In homozygous knockouts, Ig heavy chain production is eliminated, and no antibody r

SUBMITTER: Schusser B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3864345 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature