302 CONFIRMATION OF GERM-LINE TRANSMISSION OF RED FLUORESCENCE PROTEIN TRANSGENIC MALE CAT

Abstract

Production of transgenic animals is highly desirable for biotechnology and basic research. Therefore, a method of producing genetically modified cats through genetic engineering is important for generating biomedical models of human diseases. We investigate reproductive ability of red fluorescence protein (RFP) transgenic cloned male cat (RFP TG cat) in natural mating with domestic female cat. One domestic female cat in natural mating with RFP TG cat delivered 6 kittens of which 3 (2 female and 1 male) showed RFP expression of parental line. Among the 3 RFP expressing kittens, 1 died at day 5 and were subjected to PCR analysis for confirmation of RFP gene expression. Red fluorescence protein gene was detected in tissue samples including liver, muscle, brain, large intestine, bladder, spleen, sexual organ, small intestine, kidney, heart, stomach, pancreas, lungs, and skin of the kitten. These results indicated that RFP transgenic cloned male cat have normal reproductive fertility, and the stability of transmission of the RFP transgene through the germ line and its normal expression in offspring. Supported by KOSEF (M10525010001-05N2501-00110). S. J. Cho, Y. S. Lee, E. G. Choi, and J. I. Bang were supported by a scholarship from the Post BK21 Program, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Korea.