Summary
Recombinant DNA technology have made it possible to isolate a single gene coding for a particular protein from a large amount of DNA in the nucleus of every human cell and examine its functions. The isolated gene can be inserted into cultured human cells in a number of ways such as calcium precipitation method or direct injection with a micropipette. Genes can also be inserted into mouse embryos by microinjection. In both cases genes may be integrated into the nuclear DNA or remain free in the cytoplasm as a self-replicating, extrachromosomal element. In case of cultured cells gene is usually transcribed to give RNA and RNA is translated to give protein. Also in mice, genes inserted at the embryonic stage are expressed. However the site of integration appears to be random and the inserted genes do not function properly. Thus following experiments need to be accomplished before the gene is introduced into human subjects. Firstly, the new gene should be put into the proper target cells and should remain there. Secondly, the new genes should be regulated appropriately in the target cells. Once these experiments has been accomplished, attempts to treat human genetic diseases with gene therapy will be ethically justified. However tissue-specific and stage-specific regulation of gene expression is poorly understood at present. The techniques for introducing genes into animals such as production of chimeric animals and injection of isolated genes into eggs will provide powerful tools for studying these regulatory mechanism of gene expression.
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Yamamura, Ki. Analysis of control mechanisms of gene expression by the method of embryonic manipulation. Jap J Human Genet 28, 93–99 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01879391
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01879391