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Degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscles in c-myb transgenic mice
1Laboratories of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, (RIKEN), Ibaraki, Japan.
Abstract:
In order to reveal cellular processes sensitive to abnormal c-myb expression in vivo, transgenic mice were produced by introducing the c-myb nuclear proto-oncogene under the ubiquitous transcriptional regulatory unit of the cytoplasmic beta-actin gene. Expression of c-myb in thymus did not cause apparent abnormality, but the mice unexpectedly developed degenerative abnormalities in skeletal and cardiac muscles; this occurred predominantly in males. Expression of c-myb in skeletal muscle was correlated with an inflammation of muscle and was accompanied by vacuolar degeneration of muscle fibres, their regeneration, and lymphocyte infiltration. The identical pathological progression in cardiac muscle was associated with cardiomegaly.
Insights
Transgenic mice with abnormal c-myb gene expression developed muscle degeneration, primarily in males. This study reveals c-myb
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Pathology
Background:
- The c-myb proto-oncogene plays a role in cellular processes.
- Understanding its in vivo effects is crucial for disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cellular processes affected by abnormal c-myb expression in vivo.
- To generate and analyze transgenic mice with targeted c-myb overexpression.
Main Methods:
- Generation of transgenic mice using the cytoplasmic beta-actin gene regulatory unit for c-myb expression.
- Histopathological examination of tissues, particularly skeletal and cardiac muscles, and thymus.
Main Results:
- Skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration observed in transgenic mice, predominantly in males.
- Skeletal muscle showed inflammation, vacuolar degeneration, regeneration, and lymphocyte infiltration.
- Cardiac muscle exhibited similar pathological progression, leading to cardiomegaly.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal c-myb expression in vivo leads to significant degenerative myopathies.
- The c-myb proto-oncogene is implicated in muscle pathology, with sex-predominant effects.
- Further research into c-myb's role in muscle diseases is warranted.