Expression of caprine beta-lactoglobulin in the milk of transgenic mice

A 14.5 kb-long transgene containing the complete caprine beta-lactoglobulin gene transcription unit as well as 6.1 kb and 3.7 kb of the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions, respectively, was microinjected into pronuclear stage mouse embryos. Four lines of transgenic mice were obtained, three of them expressing the transgene in their mammary glands during lactation. Western blot analysis of caprine beta-lactoglobulin in the milk of hemizygous transgenic animals demonstrated the presence of the exogenous protein at concentrations up to 0.5 mg ml-1 of mouse milk.