Cited by 63Animal Genetics and ReproductionCRISPR and Genetic EngineeringPluripotent Stem Cells Research

From engineering to editing the rat genome

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Meek, Stephen, Mashimo, Tomoji, Burdon, Tom·2017·Mammalian Genome

Abstract

Since its domestication over 100 years ago, the laboratory rat has been the preferred experimental animal in many areas of biomedical research (Lindsey and Baker The laboratory rat. Academic, New York, pp 1-52, 2006). Its physiology, size, genetics, reproductive cycle, cognitive and behavioural characteristics have made it a particularly useful animal model for studying many human disorders and diseases. Indeed, through selective breeding programmes numerous strains have been derived that are now the mainstay of research on hypertension, obesity and neurobiology (Okamoto and Aoki Jpn Circ J 27:282-293, 1963; Zucker and Zucker J Hered 52(6):275-278, 1961). Despite this wealth of genetic and phenotypic diversity, the ability to manipulate and interrogate the genetic basis of existing phenotypes in rat strains and the methodology to generate new rat models has lagged significantly behind the advances made with its close cousin, the laboratory mouse. However, recent technical developments in stem cell biology and genetic engineering have again brought the rat to the forefront of biomedical studies and enabled researchers to exploit the increasingly accessible wealth of genome sequence information. In this review, we will describe how a breakthrough in understanding the molecular basis of self-renewal of the pluripotent founder cells of the mammalian embryo, embryonic stem (ES) cells, enabled the derivation of rat ES cells and their application in transgenesis. We will also describe the remarkable progress that has been made in the development of gene editing enzymes that enable the generation of transgenic rats directly through targeted genetic modifications in the genomes of zygotes. The simplicity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the CRISPR/Cas gene editing system, in particular, mean that the ability to engineer the rat genome is no longer a limiting factor. The selection of suitable targets and gene modifications will now become a priority: a challenge where ES culture and gene editing technologies can play complementary roles in generating accurate bespoke rat models for studying biological processes and modelling human disease.

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  • With advancements in rat genetic modification technologies, it is now possible to create rat models of senescent cell clearance.

    “With advancements in genetic modification technologies in the rat [47–51], it is now possible to create rat models of senescent cell clearance.”

    From Reducing Senescent Cell Burden in Aging and Disease (2020) · cites this paper as [51]

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Authors
Meek, S., Mashimo, T., & Burdon, T.
Affiliations
  • Roslin Institute (GB)
  • The University of Osaka (JP)
Corresponding author
  • Meek, Stephen
  • Burdon, Tom
Venue
Mammalian Genome
Published
2017-07-27
Volume
28
Issue
7-8
Pages
302-314
ISSN
  • 0938-8990 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-1777
OpenAlex
W2740313377
Cited by
63
References
123
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9
FWCI
1.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Mammalian Genome (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/J004316/1, BB/M023397/1)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Animal Genetics and Reproduction
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
Keywords
rat embryonic stem cells, transgenesis, CRISPR gene editing, targeted genome modification, transgenic rats
MeSH terms
Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases, Gene Editing, Zinc Finger Nucleases, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Embryo, Mammalian, Genetic Engineering, Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Gene Rearrangement, Genome, Gene Targeting, Animals, Genetically Modified, Mice, Rats, Embryonic Stem Cells, CRISPR-Cas Systems

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