Floxed
In genetics, floxed is used to describe the sandwiching of a DNA sequence between two lox P sites,and is a contraction of the phrase "flanked by LoxP". Recombination between LoxP sites is catalysed by Cre recombinase. Floxing a gene allows it to be deleted (knocked out), translocated or inverted. [1]
Floxed genes can also be used to produce organ-specific knockouts. For example, using the Cre recombinase with the alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter causes the floxed gene to be inactivated in the heart alone. Further, these knockouts can be inducible. In several mouse studies Tamoxifen is used to induce the Cre recombinase; in this case Cre is under control of the mouse estrogen receptor (Mer) in a MerCreMer system. Tamoxifen antagonizes the Mer to activate Cre recombinase allowing it to act on the floxed gene.
[edit] References
- ^ Nagy A (2000). "Cre recombinase: the universal reagent for genome tailoring.". Genesis 26 (2): 99–109. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1526-968X(200002)26:2<99::AID-GENE1>3.0.CO;2-B. PMID 10686599.
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