A new strategy for gene targeting and functional proteomics using the DT40 cell line

Nucleic Acids Res. 2013 Sep;41(17):e167. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt650. Epub 2013 Jul 27.

Abstract

DT40 cells derived from chicken B lymphocytes exhibit exceptionally high homologous recombination rates. Therefore, they can be used as a convenient tool and model for gene targeting experiments. However, lack of efficient cloning strategies, protein purification protocols and a well annotated protein database limits the utility of these cells for proteomic studies. Here we describe a fast and inexpensive experimental pipeline for protein localization, quantification and mass spectrometry-based interaction studies using DT40 cells. Our newly designed set of pQuant vectors and a sequence- and ligation-independent cloning (SLIC) strategy allow for simple and efficient generation of gene targeting constructs, facilitating homologous-recombination-based protein tagging on a multi-gene scale. We also report proof of principle results using the key proteins involved in RNA decay, namely EXOSC8, EXOSC9, CNOT7 and UPF1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Chickens
  • Cloning, Molecular / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Targeting / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Polyribosomes / metabolism
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • RNA Stability
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / analysis

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins