Detection of genes that are differentially expressed during mouse embryogenesis by genetic trapping strategies.

Abstract

Our objective was to identify novel genes that are expressed in temporally and spatially restricted patterns during mouse embryonic development and organogenesis. Two genetic trapping reporter constructs that lack transcriptional regulatory sequences were introduced independently into transcriptionally active gene loci by electroporation into mouse embryonic stem cells. Patterns of host gene-reporter construct expression were investigated in differentiated embryonic stem cells, embryoid bodies, and chimeric embryos at various stages of development. Three patterns of host gene-reporter construct expression were observed from the developmental analysis of four vector-integrated cell lines. Reporter expression patterns reflecting developmental regulation, constitutive activity, and developmental inactivation of the host genes were observed. Two vector-integrated gene loci from cell lines CCE-1C1 and D3-B44 have expression patterns not previously described by genetic trapping. Molecular characterization of these interrupted genes will shed light on their developmental function.