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Coinjection strategy for visual identification of transgenic mice
P A Overbeek1, E Aguilar-Cordova, G Hanten
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
Transgenic Research
|December 1, 1991
Summary
A tyrosinase minigene enables rapid visual identification of transgenic mice. This dominant marker gene, coinjected with other DNA, allows easy tracking of genetic modifications across generations.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Transgenic Technology
Background:
- Generating transgenic mice is crucial for research.
- Efficient methods for identifying transgenic animals are needed.
- Visual markers simplify the screening process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a visual marker for identifying transgenic mice.
- To assess the coinjection and independent expression of linked DNA constructs.
- To confirm the utility of a tyrosinase minigene in transgenic mouse generation.
Main Methods:
- Coinjection of a tyrosinase minigene with a gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma GT) promoter-ras oncogene construct.
- Visual inspection of mice for fur and eye pigmentation.
- Analysis of gene expression in different tissues (kidney and skin).
Main Results:
- Transgenic mice (gamma GT-ras) exhibited pigmentation, allowing visual identification.
- The tyrosinase minigene facilitated easy detection in all generations.
- The gamma GT promoter showed activity in kidney but not skin, confirming independent gene expression.
Conclusions:
- The tyrosinase minigene is an effective dominant marker for coinjection strategies.
- Visual identification simplifies the process of detecting transgenic mice.
- This method enhances the efficiency of transgenic mouse model development.