Abstract
Transgenic mice carrying a chimaeric transgene containing 730 bp of the 5'-flanking sequences and the entire first intron of the rat alpha-skeletal actin gene fused to the lacZ reporter gene have been produced by microinjection. The lacZ reporter gene was used to verify the suitability of using the rat alpha-actin promoter elements to target expression of genes of agricultural and therapeutic value exclusively to skeletal and heart muscle cells and fibres of transgenic mice. Expression of the transgene indicates a tightly regulated developmental and muscle specific control of the rat alpha-skeletal actin gene, making it a useful promoter for gene targeting to muscle tissues. The cells destined to form muscle tissues in these transgenic mice are readily visualized in intact embryos by staining for beta-galactosidase activity, making them a suitable animal model for studying the origin and development of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 59-66 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Transgenic Research |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1994 |