Generation and characterization of a transgenic mouse with a functional human TSPY.
To generate an animal model that is suitable for the analysis of regulation and expression of human testis-specific protein, Y-encoded TSPY, a transgenic mouse line, TgTSPY9, harboring a complete structural human TSPY gene was generated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and Southern analyses show that approximately 50 copies of the human TSPY transgene are integrated at a single chromosomal site that maps to the distal long arm of the Y chromosome. The transgene is correctly transcribed and spliced according to the human pattern and is mainly expressed in testicular tissue, with spermatogonia and early primary spermatocytes (leptotene and zygotene) as expressing germ cells. TSPY transgenic mice are phenotypically normal, and spermatogenesis is neither impaired nor enhanced by the human transgene. The present study shows that a human TSPY gene integrated into the mouse genome follows the human expression pattern although murine tspy had lost its function in rodent evolution millions of years ago.
Schubert
S
S
Institute of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, D-30623 Hannover, Germany.
Skawran
B
B
Dechend
F
F
Nayernia
K
K
Meinhardt
A
A
Nanda
I
I
Schmid
M
M
Engel
W
W
Schmidtke
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000235:genetics*; D008845:Microinjections; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000378:metabolism; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*; D017388:Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA