Developing a System for Directed Gene Introduction into Mammary Gland ViaTargeted Infection of Retrovirus Receptor Transgenics

摘要

This work describes the development of a novel system for efficient and rapidintroduction of genes into specific tissues or cells in mice. Detailed analysis of gene function often relies upon introduction of genes into an animal model system. We are developing a retroviral-based system in which controlled expression of the cellular receptor for the virus in a defined pattern determines the site(s) of infection. Using this retroviral gene delivery system, a gene can be introduced not only in a spatial-specific pattern but also in a temporally-controlled manner using a retroviral vector. For these studies we expressed the receptor for the avian virus Rous sarcoma virus in mammary cells in transgenic mice using a MMTV LTR. The ability to selectively target retroviral infection has numerous applications in areas as diverse as developmental biology, gene therapy, and oncogenesis. Here we will attempt to utilize this system for targeted expression of genes in mammary cells to rapidly assess the potential of these genes to induce mammary tumors in an animal model.