Lefebvre L, Viville S, Barton S C, Ishino F, Keverne E B, Surani M A
Wellcome/CRC Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK.
Nat Genet. 1998 Oct;20(2):163-9. doi: 10.1038/2464.
Mest (also known as Peg1), an imprinted gene expressed only from the paternal allele during development, was disrupted by gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells. The targeted mutation is imprinted and reversibly silenced by passage through the female germ line. Paternal transmission activates the targeted allele and causes embryonic growth retardation associated with reduced postnatal survival rates in mutant progeny. More significantly, Mest-deficient females show abnormal maternal behaviour and impaired placentophagia, a distinctive mammalian behaviour. Our results provide evidence for the involvement of an imprinted gene in the control of adult behaviour.
Mest（也称为Peg1）是一种在发育过程中仅从父本等位基因表达的印记基因，通过胚胎干细胞（ES细胞）中的基因靶向作用被破坏。靶向突变是印记的，并通过雌性生殖系传递而可逆地沉默。父本传递激活靶向等位基因，并导致突变后代出现胚胎生长迟缓以及出生后存活率降低。更重要的是，缺乏Mest的雌性表现出异常的母性行为和胎盘吞噬受损，这是一种独特的哺乳动物行为。我们的结果为印记基因参与成年行为的控制提供了证据。
