Unintentional miRNA ablation is a risk factor in gene knockout studies: a short report.

摘要: One of the most powerful techniques for studying function a gene is to disrupt expression that using genetic engineering strategies such as targeted recombination or viral integration trap cassettes. The tremendous utility these tools was recognized this year with awarding Nobel Prize in Physiology Medicine Capecchi, Evans, and Smithies their pioneering work mutagenesis mammals. Another noteworthy discovery made nearly decade ago identification novel class non-coding genes called microRNAs. MicroRNAs are among largest known classes regulatory elements more than 1000 predicted exist mouse genome. Over 50% microRNAs located within introns coding genes. Given currently about half have been knocked out, we investigated possibility intronic may coincidentally deleted disrupted some models. We searched published murine knockout studies embryonic stem cell line databases cases where microRNA near manipulated genomic loci, finding almost 200 along another gene. Our results draw attention need careful planning future minimize unintentional disruption These data also raise many be reexamined determine if loss contributes phenotypic consequences attributed protein-encoding