Transgenic Artifacts Caused by Passenger Human Growth Hormone

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Genomics
• Endocrinology
• Animal Models

Background:

• Transgenic mouse models are crucial for studying gene function and expression.
• The human growth hormone (hGH) minigene is frequently used to enhance transgene expression in mice.
• Unintended expression of transgenes, such as hGH, can lead to significant physiological alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To catalog transgenic mouse lines confirmed to have ectopic human growth hormone (hGH) expression.
• To provide a resource for researchers investigating the physiological impacts of hGH in mice.
• To establish a collaborative platform (wiki) for ongoing analysis of transgenic lines.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing transgenic mouse line data.
• Confirmation of ectopic hGH expression through established molecular and physiological assays.
• Development and maintenance of a publicly accessible wiki for data sharing.

Main Results:

• Identification and documentation of over 300 transgenic mouse lines utilizing the hGH minigene.
• Confirmation of ectopic and functional hGH expression in a subset of these lines.
• Establishment of a wiki to track lines requiring further analysis.

Conclusions:

• Ectopic hGH expression is a confirmed phenomenon in numerous transgenic mouse models.
• Accurate characterization of transgene expression is critical to avoid confounding physiological effects.
• The developed resource facilitates standardized assessment and understanding of hGH transgenic models.