Arguably, the main challenge for contemporary genetics is to understand the function of every gene in a mammalian genome. The mouse has emerged as a model for this task because its genome can be manipulated in a number of ways to study gene function or mimic disease states. Two complementary genetic approaches can be used to generate mouse models. A reverse genetics or gene-driven approach (gene to phenotype) starts from a known gene and manipulates the genome to create genetically modified mice, such as knockouts. Alternatively, a forward genetics or phenotype-driven approach (phenotype to gene) involves screening mice for mutant phenotypes without previous knowledge of the genetic basis of the mutation. N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis has been widely used for both approaches to generate mouse mutants. Here we review progress in ENU mutagenesis screening, with an emphasis on creating mouse models for human disorders.

中文翻译：

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ENU诱变，一种了解基因功能的方法。

可以说，当代遗传学的主要挑战是了解哺乳动物基因组中每个基因的功能。鼠标已成为该任务的模型，因为可以通过多种方式操纵其基因组来研究基因功能或模拟疾病状态。两种互补的遗传方法可用于生成小鼠模型。逆向遗传学或基因驱动的方法（从基因到表型）从已知基因开始，操纵基因组以创建转基因小鼠，例如基因敲除。或者，正向遗传学或表型驱动的方法（从表型到基因）涉及筛选小鼠突变型表型，而无需事先了解突变的遗传基础。N-乙基-N-亚硝基脲（ENU）诱变已广泛用于生成小鼠突变体的两种方法。