GENETIC TAGGING STRATEGY FOR INDUCING AND IDENTIFYING MUTATIONS IN A GENOMIC SEQUENCE

摘要

The invention features methods and compositions for introducing mutations in an endogenous host cell gene. In one embodiment, the invention features identification of genes that, when mutated, result in production of a phenotype of interest, e.g., tumor formation. In general, the invention provides a random mutagenesis system wherein a non-oncogenic, replicating vector acts as a vehicle to randomly introduce a construct comprising a hypermutation-inducing element into the genome of a host cell. Introduction of the hypermutation element in the host cell genome induces mutations (e.g., point mutations, small deletions, and/or small insertions) in genes adjacent to the integrated hypermutation element.