Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes (MACs)

Christine J Farr, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Jennifer M Spence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

Published online: January 2006

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0005671

By analogy with yeast artificial chromosomes, a mammalian artificial chromosome (MAC) would be a molecule of defined structure comprising combinations of various cloned or synthesized chromosomal elements that had been individually manipulated, tested and optimized as part of a controlled construction process. De novo human chromosomes have been produced through cell-mediated assembly processes and these, together with minichromosomes generated by manipulating existing chromosomes, are providing the basis for developing the first MAC-based vectors for use in vertebrate cells.

Keywords: minichromosome; -satellite; epigenetics; telomere; origin

Figure 1. Two main approaches used to generate mammalian chromosome-based vector systems. In the bottom-up approach, artificial human chromosomes have been formed de novo by introducing, into human HT1080 cells, cloned centromeric -satellite DNA. In the top-down approach, defined minichromosomes have been generated in cultured cells by chromosome truncation mediated by integrating telomeric DNA into chromosome arms.
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Related Sub-Topics:

Replication and Recombination | Gene and Genome Structure and Organisation | Techniques and Tools in Clinical Genetics | Gene Therapy | Chromosomes and Chromatin Modifications | DNA Structure and Function | Techniques and Tools in Molecular Biology
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Article Title: Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes (MACs)
 
How to Cite close
Farr, Christine J, and Spence, Jennifer M(Jan 2006) Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes (MACs). In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0005671]