Abstract
The dissection of apicomplexan biology has been highly influenced by the genetic tools available for manipulation of parasite DNA. Here, we describe different techniques available for the generation of conditional mutants. Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the three most commonly used regulation systems: the tetracycline inducible system, the regulation of protein stability and site-specific recombination are discussed. Using some previously described examples we explore some of the pitfalls involved in gene-function analysis using these systems that can lead to wrong or over-interpretation of phenotypes. We will also mention different options to standardize the application of these techniques for the characterization of gene function in high-throughput.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1390-1398 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Parasitology |
| Volume | 141 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2014 |
Keywords
- Apicomplexan parasites
- Conditional mutants
- Dicre
- Gold-standard genetic tools
- Protein destabilization
- Tetracycline inducible system
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Infectious Diseases
