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Modified Transposases for Site-Directed Insertion of Transgenes

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Site-directed insertion of transgenes

Part of the book series: Topics in Current Genetics ((TCG,volume 23))

Abstract

Cut and paste DNA transposons are widely used to stably integrate DNA into a wide variety of organisms. They can integrate DNA with high efficiency, provide long lasting expression of inserted transgenes, and avoid some of the safety concerns of viral gene delivery systems. One of the chief disadvantages of transposons for gene therapy and other gene delivery applications is that the site of insertion cannot be chosen. This can lead to poor expression of the integrated gene if it is inserted into a region of heterochromatin, or to undesirable insertional mutagenesis of the host cell if it integrates in an important gene. Three main strategies have been used to direct transposon insertions to specific locations: (1) modifying the transposase by fusing it to a DNA binding domain, (2) tethering the transposase protein to the desired target site, or (3) tethering the transposon DNA to the target site using appropriate fusion proteins. Here we review progress with these strategies in bacteria, fish, insect and mammalian systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Bower Building, University Ave, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK

    Sean Colloms

  2. EA 6306 Innovation moléculaire et thérapeutique, Université François Rabelais, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200, Tours, France

    Sylvaine Renault

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  1. Sean Colloms
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  2. Sylvaine Renault
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Correspondence to Sylvaine Renault .

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  1. , UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université François Rabelais, Parc Grandmont, Tours, 37200, France

    Sylvaine Renault

  2. Cellectis SA, Rue de la Croix Jarry 8, Paris, 75013, France

    Philippe Duchateau

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Colloms, S., Renault, S. (2013). Modified Transposases for Site-Directed Insertion of Transgenes. In: Renault, S., Duchateau, P. (eds) Site-directed insertion of transgenes. Topics in Current Genetics, vol 23. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4531-5_9

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