Floxing

This article is about the genetics term. For the nickname for severe reactions to quinolone antibiotics, see Quinolone antibiotics.
This figure depicts how Floxing is used in scientific research for spatial and temporal control of gene expression.

In genetic engineering, floxing refers to the insertion of a DNA sequence (which is then said to be floxed) between two LoxP sequences, creating an artificial gene cassette which can then be conditionally deleted (knocked out), translocated, or inverted in a process called Cre-Lox recombination.[1] Recombination between LoxP sites is catalysed by Cre recombinase. The term "floxing" is a portmanteau constructed from the phrase "flanking/flanked by LoxP".

The floxing method is essential in the development of scientific model systems as it allows researchers to have spatial and temporal alteration of gene expression.[2] The Cre-Lox system is widely used to manipulate gene expression in model organisms such as mice in order to study human diseases and drug development.[3] For example, using the Cre-Lox system, researchers are able to study oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and their role in the development and progression of cancer in mouse models.[4]

  1. ^ Nagy A (February 2000). "Cre recombinase: the universal reagent for genome tailoring". Genesis. 26 (2): 99–109. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1526-968X(200002)26:2<99::AID-GENE1>3.0.CO;2-B. PMID 10686599. S2CID 2916710.
  2. ^ Hayashi S, McMahon AP (April 2002). "Efficient recombination in diverse tissues by a tamoxifen-inducible form of Cre: a tool for temporally regulated gene activation/inactivation in the mouse". Developmental Biology. 244 (2): 305–18. doi:10.1006/dbio.2002.0597. PMID 11944939.
  3. ^ Mouse genetics : methods and protocols. Singh, Shree Ram,, Coppola, Vincenzo. New York, NY. 26 July 2014. ISBN 9781493912155. OCLC 885338722.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ Green JE, Ried T (2012). Genetically Engineered Mice for Cancer Research. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-69805-2. ISBN 978-0-387-69803-8. S2CID 40599715.