Download PDF Flyer. DOI: Sperm-mediated gene transfer SMGT represents a novel set of technologies for animal or in the future, human genetic modification using the sperm as a vector, as opposed to more traditional established routes such as fertilized eggs or embryonic stem cells. Studies of sperm-mediated gene transfer SMGT indicate that sperm cells possess the ability to be utilized as carriers of exogenous genetic sequences, offering the potential of a novel cost-effective route for germline genetic modification.
Sperm-Mediated Gene Transfer
Sperm-mediated gene transfer
Sperm-mediated gene transfer SMGT is a procedure through which new genetic traits are introduced in animals by exploiting the ability of spermatozoa to take up exogenous DNA molecules and deliver them to oocytes at fertilization. The interaction of exogenous DNA with sperm cells is a regulated process mediated by specific factors; among those, a reverse transcriptase RT activity plays a central role in SMGT. The resulting retro-genes are delivered to oocytes and transmitted to embryos and born animals as low-copy, transcriptionally competent, extrachromosomal structures capable of determining new phenotypic traits. Retro-genes can be further transmitted through sexual reproduction from founders to their F1 progeny: new genetic and phenotypic features, unlinked to chromosomes, can thus be generated and inherited in a non-Mendelian ratio. Thus, a RT-mediated machinery operates in sperm cells and is responsible for the genesis and non-Mendelian propagation of new genetic information. It is now widely accepted that spermatozoa of virtually all animal species have the spontaneous ability to take up exogenous DNA molecules and to deliver them to oocytes at fertilization. This feature has been exploited to generate genetically modified animals, with variable efficiency, according to a protocol called sperm-mediated gene transfer SMGT reviewed by Smith and Spadafora,
Methods for Sperm-Mediated Gene Transfer
Spermatogenesis pp Cite as. The transgenic technologies represent potent biotechnological tools that allow the generation of genetically modified animals useful for basic research and for biomedical, veterinary, and agricultural applications. Among transgenic techniques, we describe here the sperm-mediated gene transfer methods that is gene transfer based on the spontaneous ability of sperm cells to bind and internalize exogenous DNA and to carry it to oocyte during fertilization, producing genetically modified animals with high efficiency. Springer Nature is developing a new tool to find and evaluate Protocols. Learn more.
Metrics details. Transgenic animals have become valuable tools for both research and applied purposes. The current method of gene transfer, microinjection, which is widely used in transgenic mouse production, has only had limited success in producing transgenic animals of larger or higher species. Here, we report a linker based sperm-mediated gene transfer method LB-SMGT that greatly improves the production efficiency of large transgenic animals. The linker protein, a monoclonal antibody mAb C , is reactive to a surface antigen on sperm of all tested species including pig, mouse, chicken, cow, goat, sheep, and human.