ABSTRACT

This chapter presents a variety of the different approaches used in the genetic manipulations of the mouse via homologous recombination. It focuses on the firsts generations of gene targeting vectors, subsequently the new generation of vectors and their applications will be discussed. Replacement vectors are the traditional vectors, and are used to replace a targeted gene by a construction comprising homologous sequences disrupted by a selectable marker. Generally the neomycin resistance (neo) gene is used and it has a double role, to mutate the studied gene and confer a property allowing the selection of the transfected cells. Spatio-temporal control of the Cre enzyme expression can also be achieved with an adenovirus based vector that contains the Cre gene thus allowing infection of cells for delivery of the Cre enzyme. Homologous recombination is a rare event while Cre induced recombination seems to be a very efficient process.