Expression of EGFP and NPTII protein is not associated with organ abnormalities in deceased transgenic cloned cattle.
Both enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and neomycin phosphotransferase type II enzyme (NPTII) are widely used in transgenic studies, but their side effects have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we evaluated the expression profiles of the two marker genes and the relationship between their expression and organ abnormalities. Eight transgenic cloned cattle were studied, four harboring both EGFP and NPTII, and four harboring only the NPTII gene. Four age-matched cloned cattle were used as controls. EGFP and NPTII expression were measured and detected by Q-PCR, Western blot, ELISA, and RIA in heart, liver, and lungs, and the values ranged from 0.3 to 5 microg/g. The expression profiles exhibited differential or mosaic pattern between the organs, the pathologic symptoms of which were identified, but were similar to those of age-matched cloned cattle. All data indicated that the expression of EGFP and NPTII is not associated with organ abnormalities in transgenic cloned cattle.
Liu
Yan
Y
State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, People Republic of China.
Wu
Qian
Q
Cui
Huiting
H
Li
Qinghe
Q
Zhao
Yiqiang
Y
Luo
Juan
J
Liu
Qiuyue
Q
Sun
Xiuzhu
X
Tang
Bo
B
Zhang
Lei
L
Dai
Yunping
Y
Li
Ning
N
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015870:Gene Expression; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000473:pathology; D019868:Kanamycin Kinase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics
C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D019868:Kanamycin Kinase