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Regulated expression of the Ren‐2 gene in transgenic mice derived from parental strains carrying only the Ren‐1 gene.
Author(s) -
Tronik D.,
Dreyfus M.,
Babinet C.,
Rougeon F.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1987.tb04848.x
Subject(s) - biology , gene , genetics , transgene , gene expression , genetically modified mouse , microbiology and biotechnology , gene targeting
The Ren‐2 gene encoding the mouse submaxillary gland (SMG) renin was microinjected into the pronuclei of fertilized eggs from mice carrying only the Ren‐1 gene. In addition to the whole transcription unit, the injected DNA contained 2.5 and 3 kb of upstream and downstream flanking sequences, respectively. Three independent transgenic mice lines were obtained; two of them had integrated one copy of the Ren‐2 gene, the last one had integrated five and eleven copies at two independent sites. Independently of the number of Ren‐2 copies integrated, the pattern of Ren‐2 gene expression in all the transgenic mice was identical to that observed in wild‐type animals in which Ren‐1 and Ren‐2 are closely linked on chromosome 1. In particular, the exogenous Ren‐2 gene was only transcribed in the kidney and in the SMG. In the kidney, Ren‐1 and Ren‐2 mRNAs were present at a comparable level, whereas in the SMG Ren‐2 mRNA was at least 100‐fold more abundant than Ren‐1 mRNA. Moreover, Ren‐2 expression in the SMG was positively regulated by androgens. Only one difference between transgenic mice and wild‐type mice carrying the Ren‐2 gene has been observed: the basal level of Ren‐2 transcription in the SMG of transgenic females was lower than in two‐gene strain females. Androgen treatment of transgenic females induced SMG renin mRNA to a level identical to that of transgenic males. This suggests that the basal level of SMG renin mRNA is dependent upon cis‐acting elements which are not present in the microinjected fragment.