Genetic transformation of mouse embryos by microinjection of purified DNA.

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Abstract
A recombinant plasmid composed of segments of herpes simplex virus and SV 40 viral DNA inserted into the bacterial plasmid pBR322 was microinjected into pronuclei of fertilized mouse oocytes. The embryos were implanted in the oviducts of pseudopregnant females and allowed to develop to term. DNA from newborn mice was evaluated by the Southern blotting technique for the presence of DNA homologous to the injected plasmid. Of 78 mice in 1 series of injections, 2 mice showed clear homology, to the injected sequences, although the injected sequences had been rearranged. Band intensities from the 2 positive mice were consistent with the presence of donor DNA in most or all cells of the newborns. Genes can apparently be introduced into the mouse genome by direct insertion into the nuclei of early embryos. This technique affords the opportunity to study problems of gene regulation and cell differentiation in a mammalian system by application of recombinant DNA technology.