Expression and loss of alleles in cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts and stem cells carrying allelic fluorescent protein genes
2006

Studying Genetic Changes in Mouse Cells with Fluorescent Markers

Sample size: 45 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Jon S Larson, Moying Yin, Jared M Fischer, Saundra L Stringer, James R Stringer

Primary Institution: University of Cincinnati

Hypothesis

The study aims to assess the rate of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in normal mouse cells using fluorescent protein markers.

Conclusion

The study found that loss of heterozygosity at the ROSA26 locus can be detected using fluorescent markers, primarily through mitotic recombination.

Supporting Evidence

  • Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) showed that most cells expressed both fluorescent proteins.
  • Monochromatic cells were present at frequencies of approximately 10-4.
  • All monochromatic ES cell clones analyzed lacked the gene encoding the non-expressed fluorescent protein.

Takeaway

Scientists used special colored proteins in mice to see how often cells lose important genetic information, which can happen in diseases like cancer.

Methodology

The researchers derived embryonic fibroblast populations and stem cell lines from mice with fluorescent protein genes and analyzed them using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Limitations

The study did not investigate the reasons for the failure of monochromatic cells to form clonal colonies.

Participant Demographics

Mice of mixed genetic background including alleles from three inbred strains.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2199-7-36

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication