Abstract |
Διατμηματικό, συνεργαζόμενα Τμήματα Βιολογίας και Ιατρικής του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης. The Erf (Ets-2 Repressor Factor) gene codes for a transcriptional repressor of the Ets2 (E26 Transformation Specific) family of transcriptional regulators and has been shown to be an effector of the mitogenic Ras/MAPK pathway. Homozygous deletion of the gene in mouse results in embryonic death at day 10p.c. due to placental defects. In particular, there is complete loss of the labyrinthe, expanded chorion and increase in the trophoblast giant cell layer. In order to further investigate the role of the gene, it is necessary to create embryonic stem cells homozygous for the Erf gene deletion. Heterozygous ES cells lacking one functional allele have been used in a second round of targeting to obtain homozygous clones. We have isolated an ES clone in which the second allele has been deleted by the replacement of the hygromycin cassette. Culture of these cells will allow the study of their developmental potential and in vitro differentiation towards the different cell fates. Furthermore, the phenotype of Erf knockout in the placenta of mouse syggests that the gene is involved in the maintenance and differentiation of trophoblast stem cells. For this reason, we have tried to isolate blastocysts and establish trophoblast stem cell lines. From the procedure, one wild type trophoblast stem cell line has been produced and established successfully.
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