ABSTRACT
Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is caused by a mutation in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. In addition, deposition of wild-type TTR can cause senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA). To date, we have produced several transgenic mouse models for FAP and SSA by introducing TTR genes with different promoters or mutations. However, mouse TTR can associate with human TTR to produce hybrid tetramers in transgenic mice. Thus, these transgenic mice cannot be used to test the efficacy of a new therapy. In this study, we attempted to construct an optimized mouse model to verify a new therapy. The TTR gene consists of 4 exons and 3 introns. We prepared two gRNAs, one for the exon 1 and the other for exon 4, and a single donor vector carrying the whole TTR gene in which mouse exons were replaced with human exons. Using these vectors, we produced a TTR exon-humanized mouse with human exons and mouse introns using genome editing technology. These TTR exon-humanized mice showed normal TTR expression patterns in terms of serum TTR level and spatial specificity. These TTR exon-humanized mice will be useful for devising new treatment methods for FAP, including gene therapy.
Subject(s)
Polyneuropathies/etiology , Prealbumin/genetics , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Exons , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred ICR , Mice, Transgenic , Polyneuropathies/therapy , Prealbumin/analysis , RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/geneticsABSTRACT
At refrigerated temperatures, mouse embryos can maintain developmental ability for short periods. Previously, we succeeded in transporting vitrified and warmed 2-cell mouse embryos while maintaining developmental ability at refrigerated temperatures for 50 h. Transport of nonfrozen embryos is an easier and more useful means of exchanging genetically engineered mice between laboratories than is transport of cryopreserved embryos. Here we examined the developmental ability of transported 2-cell embryos that were produced through in vitro fertilization using cryopreserved sperm. Results show that 2-cell embryos produced by cryopreserved sperm can develop into blastocysts after cold storage for 24, 48, and 72 h. Transported 2-cell embryos produced by cryopreserved sperm yielded a favorable number of pups in all of the receiving laboratories after transport lasting 48 to 52 h. In summary, cold storage and transport of 2-cell embryos derived from cryopreserved sperm at refrigerated temperatures provides a novel means of transporting genetically engineered mice as an alternative to the transport of cryopreserved embryos and sperm.
Subject(s)
Cold Temperature , Cryopreservation , Embryo Culture Techniques , Spermatozoa , Animals , Culture Media , Embryo Transfer , Embryonic Development , Female , Fertilization in Vitro , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred ICR , TransportationABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to discover and characterize novel energy homeostasis-related molecules. We screened stock mouse embryonic stem cells established using the exchangeable gene trap method, and examined the effects of deficiency of the target gene on diet and genetic-induced obesity. The mutant strain 0283, which has an insertion at the recQ-mediated genome instability 1 (RMI1) locus, possesses a number of striking features that allow it to resist metabolic abnormalities. Reduced RMI1 expression, lower fasting-blood glucose and a reduced body weight (normal diet) were observed in the mutant mice. When fed a high-fat diet, the mutant mice were resistant to obesity, and also showed improved glucose intolerance and reduced abdominal fat tissue mass and food intake. In addition, the mutants were also resistant to obesity induced by the lethal yellow agouti (A(y)) gene. Endogenous RMI1 genes were found to be up-regulated in the liver and adipose tissue of KK-A(y) mice. RMI1 is a component of the Bloom's syndrome gene helicase complex that maintains genome integrity and activates cell-cycle checkpoint machinery. Interestingly, diet-induced expression of E2F8 mRNA, which is an important cell cycle-related molecule, was suppressed in the mutant mice. These results suggest that the regulation of energy balance by RMI1 is attributable to the regulation of food intake and E2F8 expression in adipose tissue. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that RMI1 is a novel molecule that regulates energy homeostasis.
