Forward genetics
Forward genetics is a molecular genetics approach of determining the genetic basis responsible for a phenotype. Forward genetics provides an unbiased approach because it relies heavily on identifying the genes or genetic factors that cause a particular phenotype or trait of interest.[1]
This was initially done by using naturally occurring mutations or inducing mutants with radiation, chemicals, or
Techniques used in Forward Genetics
Forward genetics provides researchers with the ability to identify genetic changes caused by mutations that are responsible for individual phenotypes in organisms.[1] There are three major steps involved with the process of forward genetics which includes: making random mutations, selecting the phenotype or trait of interest, and identifying the gene and its function.[4] Forward genetics involves the use of several mutagenesis processes to induce DNA mutations at random which may include:
Chemical mutagenesis
Chemical mutagenesis is an easy tool that is used to generate a broad spectrum of mutant alleles. Chemicals like ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) cause random
Another chemical such as ENU, also known as N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea works similarly to EMS. ENU also induces random point mutations where all codons are equally liable to change. These point mutations modify gene function by inducing different alleles, including gain or loss of function mutations in protein-coding or noncoding regions in the genome.[6]
Radiation mutagenesis
Other methods such as using radiation to cause large deletions and chromosomal rearrangements can be used to generate mutants as well.[3] Ionizing radiation can be used to induce genome-wide mutations as well as chromosomal duplications, inversions, and translocations.
Similarly, short wave UV light works in the same way as ionizing radiation which can also induce mutations generating chromosomal rearrangements. When DNA absorbs short wave UV light, dimerizing and oxidative mutations can occur which can cause severe damage to the DNA sequence of an organism.
Insertional mutagenesis
Mutations can also be generated by
Post mutagenesis
Once mutagenized and
Human diseases
Human diseases and disorders can be the result of mutations.
Classical forward genetics
By the
History
Gregor Mendel experimented with pea plant phenotypes and published his conclusions about genes and inheritance in 1865.[10] Around the early 1900s Thomas Hunt Morgan was mutating Drosophila using radium and attempting to find heritable mutations.[16] Alfred Sturtevant later began mapping genes of Drosophila with mutations they had been following.[17] In the 1990s forward genetics methods were utilized to better understand Drosophila genes significant to development from embryo to adult fly.[18] In 1995 the Nobel Prize went to Christiane Nüsslein, Edward Lewis, and Eris Wieschaus for their work in developmental genetics.[18] The human genome was mapped and the sequence was published in 2003.[19] The ability to identify genes that contribute to Mendelian disorders has improved since 1990 as a result of advances in genetics and technology.[9]
See also
References
- ^ PMID 23608223.
- ^ "What is the Field of Reverse Genetics". innovateus. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Parsch J. "Forward and Reverse Genetics" (PDF). Ludwig-maximilians-universitat Munchen. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- PMID 24926442.
- PMID 24449699.
- ISBN 978-0-08-096156-9, retrieved 2022-11-22
- ISBN 978-0-07-352526-6.
- ^ a b Hunter S. "Forward Genetics Topics". UCSanDiego. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-920746-6.
- ^ )
- PMID 27890263.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-85996-202-2. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- PMID 27384229.
- PMID 2772657.
- ^ Gibson G, Muse SV (2009). A Primer of Genome Science (Third ed.). Sinauer Press.
- ^ Hamilton V (2016-07-19). "The Secrets of Life". Science History Institute. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
- ^ "An Overview of the Human Genome Project". National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Retrieved 2018-09-25.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-87893-978-7.
- ^ "An Overview of the Human Genome Project". National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Retrieved 2018-09-25.