Tg(MMTV-TDGF1)G4Dsal

Mice bearing this transgene express human teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1; also called Cripto-1 or CR-1) under control of the promoter of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) long terminal repeat (LTR). The transgene comprises the entire MMTV-LTR followed by the coding sequence of human TDGF1 cDNA, flanked by 220 bp of 5'- and 110 bp of 3'- untranslated region (UTR) DNA, and the simian virus 40 (SV40) intron and polyadenylation signal. Of three transgenic mouse lines expressing human TDGF1 in the mammary gland on day 3 of lactation, line G4 exhibited the highest expression level based on densitometric western blot analysis using a mouse anti-human TDGF1 monoclonal antibody. Human TDGF1 mRNA and protein are also present in other tissues known to be permissive for expression of the MMTV promoter. In 6 month-old transgenic male mice, the protein is detected by immunoblot analysis of lysates of brain, lacrimal gland, lung, and testis and very strongly in epididymus and seminal vesicles. Transgenic females exhibit expression comparable to males' in the brain, lung and lacrimal gland; no TDGF1 protein is detected in the ovary. (J:99542)