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Using standard nomenclature to adequately name transgenes, knockout gene alleles and any mutation associated to a genetically modified mouse strain

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Abstract

Mice provide an unlimited source of animal models to study mammalian gene function and human diseases. The powerful genetic modification toolbox existing for the mouse genome enables the creation of, literally, thousands of genetically modified mouse strains, carrying spontaneous or induced mutations, transgenes or knock-out/knock-in alleles which, in addition, can exist in hundreds of different genetic backgrounds. Such an immense diversity of individuals needs to be adequately annotated, to ensure that the most relevant information is kept associated with the name of each mouse line, and hence, the scientific community can correctly interpret and benefit from the reported animal model. Therefore, rules and guidelines for correctly naming genes, alleles and mouse strains are required. The Mouse Genome Informatics Database is the authoritative source of official names for mouse genes, alleles, and strains. Nomenclature follows the rules and guidelines established by the International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Mice. Herewith, both from the International Society for Transgenic Technologies (ISTT) and from the scientific journal Transgenic Research, we would like to encourage all our colleagues to adhere and follow adequately the standard nomenclature rules when describing mouse models. The entire scientific community using genetically modified mice in experiments will benefit.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are most grateful to Howard Dean and Beverly Richards-Smith (Mouse Genome Informatics curators, The Jackson Laboratory), Lois Maltais (The Jackson Laboratory, International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Mice) and Thom Saunders (University of Michigan, Transgenic Animal Model Core) for carefully reviewing this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Darwin 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Lluís Montoliu

  2. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain

    Lluís Montoliu

  3. The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Division of Developmental Biology, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9PS, Scotland, UK

    C. Bruce A. Whitelaw

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  1. Lluís Montoliu
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  2. C. Bruce A. Whitelaw
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Correspondence to Lluís Montoliu or C. Bruce A. Whitelaw.

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Montoliu, L., Whitelaw, C.B.A. Using standard nomenclature to adequately name transgenes, knockout gene alleles and any mutation associated to a genetically modified mouse strain. Transgenic Res 20, 435–440 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-010-9428-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-010-9428-z

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