Timo

A transgene containing a mouse Flk1 promotor, mouse Rage cDNA, and SV40 polyA signal inserted between 108,618,208 and 108,618,659 bp in Chromosome 2, approximately 857 kb upstream of the transcription start site of Bdnf. No transgene expression is seen. Bdnf mRNA and protein expression levels are reduced in the hippocampus and hypothalmus. Serum BDNF levels are about 30% of non-transgenic controls. Reduction in expression varies with the hypothalamus most severely affected followed by the hippocampus, but no significant reduction in expression in the lung. Several conserved elements are located in the insertion region and functional analysis indicated that some of these enhance Bdnf expression. (J:127183)