Murine SMGT: An Overview of Research

Abstract

Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) in mice has undergone rapid developments over the past twenty years, because of the obvious advantages in operation: it is inexpensive and convenient, and requires minimal specialist training and equipment. The typical method of SMGT technology is to use the mature spermatozoa as vehicles for DNA delivery in vitro. However, the low efficiency associated with this approach has resulted in many negative results, with consequent controversy over its biological basis. By contrast, in vivo gene transfer through direct introduction of foreign DNA into the male reproductive tract is developing apace. The mouse as a major model animal has made an important contribution to SMGT progress.

Keywords: Murine SMGT, SCNT, Electroporation, DNA-binding proteins, SMGT, Transgenesis, DNA integration, Virus-SMGT, ICSI, TMGT.