Transgene-mediated modifications to animal biochemistry.
The application of gene-transfer technology to domestic animals provides a way for the introduction of genes encoding biochemical pathways that are currently nonfunctional in these animals. This might provide a mechanism for increasing the availability of specific substrates that currently limit certain production characteristics, such as the production of wool. The progress and problems associated with recent attempts to transfer a cysteine biosynthetic pathway and a glyoxylate cycle to sheep are discussed, in addition to the extension of this concept to other biochemical pathways.
Ward
K A
KA
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Animal Production, Blacktown, New South Wales 2148, Australia. kevin@mailhost.prospect.anprod.csiro.au
D000818:Animals; D003545:Cysteine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006038:Glyoxylates / Q000378:metabolism*; D008239:Lysine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013912:Threonine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019076:Transgenes
D006038:Glyoxylates; D013912:Threonine; C031150:glyoxylic acid; D008239:Lysine; D003545:Cysteine