APP gene promoter constructs are preferentially expressed in the CNS and testis of transgenic mice

Transgenic animals were used to examine the spatial and temporal regulation of the human beta amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene promoter region in vivo. A 2.9 kb DNA fragment encompassing the APP gene promoter was fused to the chloramphenical acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene (pAMY-CAT) or a partial cDNA encoding the potentially amyloidogenic C-terminal 100 amino acid region of APP (pAMY-C100). Expression of these transgenes occurred primarily, but not exclusively, in the central nervous system (CNS) and testis in multiple independent lineages of transgenic mice. Temporal expression of the CAT reporter gene during development paralleled that reported for the endogenous APP gene. These studies suggest that a CNS-responsive cis-acting element(s) may exist in the promoter/5'-flanking region of the APP gene.