Transgenic strategy for demonstrating nuclear reprogramming in the mouse.

Abstract

Totipotency can be restored to the nuclei of somatic cells by reprogramming the nucleus via the technique of nuclear transfer. As genes expressed in somatic cells differ from those expressed in early embryos, a change in gene expression must accompany nuclear reprogramming. In this study, nuclear reprogramming of somatic cell nuclei following nuclear transfer (NT) was demonstrated by the reactivation of developmentally regulated lacZ reporter genes. NT embryos were generated by direct injection of adult cumulus cell nuclei into mature mouse oocytes from which maternal chromosomes were subsequently removed. Cumulus cells were collected from transgenic mice which show developmentally regulated..