A resource of vectors and ES cells for targeted deletion of microRNAs in mice

Nat Biotechnol. 2011 Aug 7;29(9):840-5. doi: 10.1038/nbt.1929.

Abstract

The 21-23 nucleotide, single-stranded RNAs classified as microRNAs (miRNA) perform fundamental roles in diverse cellular and developmental processes. In contrast to the situation for protein-coding genes, no public resource of miRNA mouse mutant alleles exists. Here we describe a collection of 428 miRNA targeting vectors covering 476 of the miRNA genes annotated in the miRBase registry. Using these vectors, we generated a library of highly germline-transmissible C57BL/6N mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell clones harboring targeted deletions for 392 miRNA genes. For most of these targeted clones, chimerism and germline transmission can be scored through a coat color marker. The targeted alleles have been designed to be adaptable research tools that can be efficiently altered by recombinase-mediated cassette exchange to create reporter, conditional and other allelic variants. This miRNA knockout (mirKO) resource can be searched electronically and is available from ES cell repositories for distribution to the scientific community.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques*
  • Gene Targeting*
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Recombinases / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Recombinases