基因敲除与学习、记忆:现状、问题和展望

Gene Knockout and Learning,Memory:Progress,Problems and Prospects.

基因敲除技术的应用使学习、记忆分子机制的研究出现了新的突破．目前已报道了多种学习、记忆以及ＬＴＰ、ＬＴＤ有缺陷的基因敲除动物，发现多种基因在学习、记忆的形成过程中必不可少．然而，现有研究的一个较大问题是忽视了遗传背景基因在表型改变中的作用，被认为由突变靶基因造成的表型缺陷实际上可能是由背景基因而不是由突变基因造成的．要排除背景基因的作用，必须建立新的ＥＳ细胞，选择纯遗传背景的小鼠品系，并且在时间、范围和程度上对基因敲除进行精细的控制．

Gene knockout is a powerful technique to elucidate the molecular mechanism of learning and memory, this molecular genetic approach brings exciting new improvement in memory research. A number of gene knockout mice which have defects in learning,memory and long term potentiation, long term depression have been generated and it was found that lots of genes are necessary in the process of learning and memory.However, overlooking the role of background genes is a major problem in the present studies, the phenotypical abnormalities attributed to the targeted gene may be simply result from the effects of background genes.In order to overcome this limitation, it is necessary to develope new ES cell lines and use inbred mouse strains from pure background, furthermore, methodolgical details must be improved and fine control over the timing,locale and degree of genetic disruption must be gained.