Tissue specific expression of an α-skeletal actin-lacZ fusion gene during development in transgenic mice

• Published in: Transgenic research 1994, Vol.3 (1), p.59-66
• Main Authors: ASANTE, E. A, BOSWELL, J. M, BURT, D. W, BULFIELD, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actins - biosynthesis; Actins - genetics; Animals; Animals, Newborn - metabolism; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; Genes, Reporter; Genetic engineering; Genetic technics; Lac Operon - genetics; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Mice, Transgenic - embryology; Mice, Transgenic - genetics; Mice, Transgenic - growth & development; Mice, Transgenic - metabolism; Molecular Sequence Data; Muscles - metabolism; Organ Specificity; Rats; Transformation, Genetic - genetics; Transformation, Genetic - physiology; Transgenic animals; Transgenic animals and transgenic plants
• ISSN: 0962-8819; 1573-9368
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01976028

Transgenic mice carrying a chimaeric transgene containing 730 bp of the 5'-flanking sequences and the entire first intron of the rat alpha-skeletal actin gene fused to the lacZ reporter gene have been produced by microinjection. The lacZ reporter gene was used to verify the suitability of using the rat alpha-actin promoter elements to target expression of genes of agricultural and therapeutic value exclusively to skeletal and heart muscle cells and fibres of transgenic mice. Expression of the transgene indicates a tightly regulated developmental and muscle specific control of the rat alpha-skeletal actin gene, making it a useful promoter for gene targeting to muscle tissues. The cells destined to form muscle tissues in these transgenic mice are readily visualized in intact embryos by staining for beta-galactosidase activity, making them a suitable animal model for studying the origin and development of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues.