Temporal expression of the transgenic human protamine gene cluster.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the fidelity of expression of the genes from the transgenic human sperm-specific nuclear packaging protamine-1-->protamine-2-->transition protein-2 (PRM1-->PRM2-->TNP2) locus.


METHODS
Controlled human transgene study.


METHODS
Basic science laboratory.


METHODS
Age-matched transgenic and nontransgenic mice.


METHODS
Transgenic mice containing the human protamine locus were mated. One testis from each offspring was frozen at -80 degrees C and the other was preserved in formalin.


METHODS
The temporal expression of the human and mouse protamines was evaluated by Northern blot analysis. Orientation of the transgenic locus was determined by Southern blot analysis. Tissue morphology was assessed histologically.


RESULTS
Conservation of transgenic morphology was confirmed. Head-to-tail integration of the PRM1--> PRM2-->TNP2 locus was shown. Temporal expression of the mouse and human protamine genes was maintained in the transgenic state.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that the head-to-tail concatomer of the PRMI-->PRM2-->TNP2 locus contains all the necessary elements for appropriate temporal expression while maintaining testicular structure and function.
Stewart
K S
KS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Kramer
J A
JA
Evans
M I
MI
Krawetz
S A
SA
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D005810:Multigene Family; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011479:Protamines / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C082073:PRM1 protein, human; C513176:Prm1 protein, mouse; D011479:Protamines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C489505:Tnp2 protein, mouse; C068621:protamine 2; C053886:spermatid transition proteins