Tissue and cell specific expression of a renin promoter-reporter gene construct in transgenic mice

The tissue specific expression of a fusion transgene consisting of 4.6 kb of Ren-2 5' flanking sequence and the SV40 T antigen viral oncogene was analyzed by northern hybridization and immunocytochemistry. Among the 10 tissues examined, endogenous renin transcripts were identified in and restricted to kidney, submandibular gland, testes and ovary consistent with the expression pattern of the Ren-1c gene. In addition to these tissues, significant levels of transgene mRNA were detectable in the brain. Expression of the transgene was restricted to juxtaglomerular cells in the kidney and the granular convoluted tubule cells of submandibular gland. These results suggest that 4.6 Kb of Ren-2 5' flanking sequence is sufficient to confer tissue and cell specific expression upon an exogenous reporter gene.