Tg(KRT5-Terf2)POBlas

The full-length mouse Terf2 cDNA was placed under control of the 5' regulatory region of the bovine keratin K5 promoter, which targets TERF2 to basal cells and stem cells of the epidermis. Three transgenic lines were generated and analyzed (PM, PN and PO). In the PO line (males and females), the levels of Terf2 mRNA expression in tail and back skin were ~23 times greater than those in wild-type controls. Western blot analysis revealed significantly elevated TERF2 protein levels in primary keratinocytes derived from PO transgenic mice. Combined immunofluorescence and telomeric Q-FISH analysis showed that the overexpressed TERF2 protein localized to telomeres. (J:102653)