Quick detection of sex determining region protein gene in mouse fetuses

AIM: To detect quickly the Y-chromosome specific sex determining region protein (Sry) gene in mouse fetuses on embryonic day 14.5 with a PCR method. METHODS: We designed specific primers with the OLIGO 5. 0 software. Templates were prepared in 30 minutes by the following way. About 1 mg embryonic tissue but not fetal liver was suspended, and treated with 200μL of lysis buffer, consisting of PCR buffer containing 20 mg/L proteinase K, 0. 5% NP-40, and 0.05% Tween 40, at 60°C for 15 minutes, heated for 5 minutes at 100 °C, 10μL was used as template. The PCR react ion was performed in 50μL, using two sets of primers specific for Sry gene (chromosome Y) and IL-3 gene (chromosome 11) . PCR conditions and cycle numbers were optimized. The assessment of the results was done by electrophoresis in 3% agarose run at high voltage. The specificity of the method was conf irmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using a specific male probe on embryonic tissue cells. RESULTS: Electrophoresis showed that PCR product of male control DNA consisted of a 649 bp product representing the IL-3 gene and a 444 bp product representing the Y-specific Sry gene, female control DNA only one 649 bp product. Fetuses with two bands matching those as seen inmale control DNA are the presumpt ive male fetuses. Fetuses, only the IL-3-associated 649 bp band, are the presumptive female fetuses. These were confirmed by FISH. The ent ire procedure took <3. 5 h. CONCLUSION: The established PCR assay offers a quick, simple, accurate, and sensitive detection of sex determining region protein gene in mouse fetuses. This method allowed the preparation and culture of pure male and female hematopoietic stem cells from fetal tissue.