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Epstein-Barr–based episomal chromosomes shuttle 100 kb of self-replicating circular human DNA in mouse cells

Nature Biotechnology volume 16, pages 762–768 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

We describe the microcell fusion transfer of 100–200 kb self-replicating circular human minichromosomes from human into mouse cells. This experimental approach is illustrated through the shuttling of the latent 170 kb double-stranded DNA genome from the human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus, into nonpermissive rodent cells. Using this interspecies transfer strategy, circular episomes carrying 95–105 kb of human DNA were successfully established at low copy number in mouse A9 cells. Selected episomes were stably maintained for 6 months, and unselected episomes were characterized by a 95% episomal retention per cell division. The establishment of a mouse artificial episomal chromosome system should facilitate evolutionary and therapeutic studies of large human DNA in rodent genetic backgrounds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599

    Zachary T. Kelleher, Haiyan Fu, Elizabeth Livanos, Brian Wendelburg & Jean-Michel Vos

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599

    Sara Gulino & Jean-Michel Vos

  3. Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599

    Jean-Michel Vos

Authors
  1. Zachary T. Kelleher
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  2. Haiyan Fu
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  3. Elizabeth Livanos
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  4. Brian Wendelburg
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  5. Sara Gulino
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  6. Jean-Michel Vos
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Correspondence to Jean-Michel Vos.

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Kelleher, Z., Fu, H., Livanos, E. et al. Epstein-Barr–based episomal chromosomes shuttle 100 kb of self-replicating circular human DNA in mouse cells. Nat Biotechnol 16, 762–768 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0898-762

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