Expression of porcine FSH beta subunit promoter-driven herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene in transgenic rats.

摘要

A transgenic rat was established using the construct of porcine FSH beta subunit promoter, the -852/+10 bp region, fused to a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene. Integration of the transgene was confirmed by PCR of tail DNA. RT-PCR of total RNAs of the pituitary, gonad, cerebellum, liver, kidney, adrenal gland, prostate and uterus showed that FSH beta was only expressed in the pituitary. Analysis of the expression of reporter gene, HSV-TK, using 2 specific primer sets showed that different transcripts were present in the pituitary and testis. The transcript initiated at the transcription initiation site of the porcine FSH beta gene was detected in the pituitary. Another within the TK gene was found in the testis, indicating ectopic testis-specific expression. Immunohistochemistry of the pituitary glands of the transgenic rats for FSH and HSV-TK demonstrated that the FSH-producing cells also produced HSV-TK. The results indicated that the -852/+10 bp region of the FSH beta promoter contained an element(s) that determined the tissue-specific expression. Production of FSH beta promoter-driven HSV-TK transgenic rats was successful, and this was the first time that it was done using an animal other than the mouse. The transgenic rats showed male infertility that involved abnormal spermatogenesis. A decrease in the weight of the testis and epididymis was also observed. Moreover, both motile and living spermatozoa were absent in the epididymis. The FSH beta -HSV-TK transgenic rat would provide a useful model for studies on FSH function and male infertility..