phic31 molecular mechanisms

The ΦC31 (PhiC31) system is a site-specific recombination method used to stably insert a transgene into the Drosophila melanogaster genome. This system enables targeted insertion, reducing positional effects.

This approach relies on the ΦC31 integrase enzyme, which catalyzes recombination between two specific sequences:

1. attP (present in the Drosophila genome, at a predefined site).

2. attB (present on the plasmid containing the transgene).

Process steps :

• Microinjection of the plasmid containing the transgene and the attB site into embryos carrying an attP site.

• Action of ΦC31 integrase, which inserts the transgene into the attP site.

• Formation of a hybrid attL/attR site, preventing future excision.

• Selection of transformed individuals by a phenotypic marker.