Somatic cells are defined in the art by what they are not. They are any cell other than a germ cell
or a germ cell precursor." A totipotent cell which may differentiate into any cell including a germ
line cell, is a germ cell precursor and is thus excluded from the ordinary definition of somatic cell.
Strelchenko's written description uses the word "somatic" consistently with the ordinary meaning
in indicating that a somatic cell is a non-totipotent precursor cell which may be converted or
reprogrammed to be a totipotent cell. Thus, Strelchenko says that one of the benefits of the
invention is the production of clones utilizing virtually any non-totipotent precursor cell, including
non-embryonic cells:
Thepresent invention provides multiple advantages over the tools and
methods curTently utilized in the field of mammalian cloning. Such features
and advantages include:
(1) Production of cloned animals from virtually any type of cell. The
invention provides materials and methods for reprogramming
non-totipotent cells into totipotent cells. These non-totipotent cells
may be of non-embryonic origin.
Strelchenko Application 09/357,445, Paper I (specification), p. 4,11. 3-8. Strelchenko specifically
notes that non-embryonic precursor cells include somatic cells:
The term "non-embryonic cell" as used herein refers to a cell that is not
isolated from an embryo. Non-embryonic cells can be differentiated or
nondifferentiated. Non-embryonic cells can refer to nearly any somatic cell,
such as cells isolated from an ex utero animal.
Strelchenko Application 09/357,445, Paper I (specification), p. 12, 11. 27-30, emphasis added.
Similarly, in describing a preferred embodiment, Strelchenko again notes the conversion of non
totipotent precursor cells, such as somatic cells, to totipotent cells for use in cloning:
In preferred embodiments, (1) the totipotent cells are not alkaline
phosphatase positive; (2) the totipotent cells arise from at least one I)recurso
cell; ... (5) the precursor cell is selected from the ff-oup consisting of... a
somatic cell ... ; and (6) the precursor cell is preferably isolated and/or arises
from a mammalian animal, more preferably an ungulate animal, and most
preferably a bovine animal.
13 Alpenset al., Molecular Biology of the Cell Garland Publishing Co., NY.& London, 1994, pp. 1012
and G-2 1.
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