Reversible suppression of an essential gene in adult mice using transgenic RNA interference

McJunkin, K., Mazurek, A., Premsrirut, P. K., Zuber, J., Dow, L. E., Simon, J., Stillman, B., Lowe, S. W. (April 2011) Reversible suppression of an essential gene in adult mice using transgenic RNA interference. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 (17). pp. 7113-7118. ISSN 0027-8424

[thumbnail of Paper]
Preview
PDF (Paper)
Stillman and Lowe PNAS 2011.pdf - Published Version

Download (1MB) | Preview
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21482754
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1104097108

Abstract

RNAi has revolutionized loss-of-function genetics by enabling sequence-specific suppression of virtually any gene. Furthermore, tetracycline response elements (TRE) can drive expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) for inducible and reversible target gene suppression. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of transgenic inducible RNAi for suppression of essential genes. We set out to directly target cell proliferation by screening an RNAi library against DNA replication factors and identified multiple shRNAs against Replication Protein A, subunit 3 (RPA3). We generated transgenic mice with TRE-driven Rpa3 shRNAs whose expression enforced a reversible cell cycle arrest. In adult mice, the block in cell proliferation caused rapid atrophy of the intestinal epithelium which led to weight loss and lethality within 8-11 d of shRNA induction. Upon shRNA withdrawal, villus atrophy and weight loss were fully reversible. Thus, shRpa3 transgenic mice provide an interesting tool to study tissue maintenance and regeneration. Overall, we have established a robust system that serves the purpose of temperature-sensitive alleles in other model organisms, enabling inducible and reversible suppression of essential genes in a mammalian system.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > DNA replication
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > RNAi
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL Cancer Center Program > Cancer Genetics
CSHL Cancer Center Program > Gene Regulation and Cell Proliferation
CSHL Cancer Center Shared Resources > Animal Services
CSHL Cancer Center Shared Resources > DNA Sequencing Service
CSHL Cancer Center Shared Resources > Flow Cytometry Service
CSHL Cancer Center Shared Resources > Gene Targeting Service
CSHL Post Doctoral Fellows
CSHL labs > Lowe lab
CSHL labs > Stillman lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
CSHL Cancer Center Shared Resources > Functional Genomics and Genetics Service
Highlight: Stillman, Bruce W.
Depositing User: CSHL Librarian
Date: 26 April 2011
Date Deposited: 06 Mar 2012 14:42
Last Modified: 03 Jan 2018 17:04
PMCID: PMC3084121
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/25017

Actions (login required)

Administrator's edit/view item Administrator's edit/view item
CSHL HomeAbout CSHLResearchEducationNews & FeaturesCampus & Public EventsCareersGiving