Predominant transgene expression in exocrine pancreas directed by the CMV promoter

Abstract

The enhancer/promoter of the human cytomegalovirus gene encoding the major immediate-early protein (CMVp) is reputed to be one of the strongest and most promiscuous regulatory elements for directing transcription of heterologous genes in vitro. However, transgene expression under the promoter in adult transgenic mice is often more restricted. We selected a CMVp segment from position -350 to +59 to control expression of transgenes for two secretory fusion proteins. Expression was analyzed by immunohistology staining and quantified by Northern blot, Western blot, and ELISA of secretions from explanted tissues. In all six lines of transgenic mice, the highest expression of transgenes at the mRN..