Confirmation of germ-line transmission in the red fluorescence protein (RFP) transgenic cloned male cat

Cell Reprogram. 2010 Dec;12(6):739-47. doi: 10.1089/cell.2010.0009. Epub 2010 Sep 6.

Abstract

The production of transgenic animals is highly desirable for biotechnology and basic research. We investigated the reproductive ability of a red fluorescence protein (RFP) transgenic cloned male cat (RFP TG cat) by natural mating with a domestic female cat. The RFP expression levels were examined in early embryogenesis, tissues from 45-day-old two fetuses, and four RFP TG cat offspring. The RFP gene was detected in tissue samples from one dead kitten, including several organs and the skin. Also, under a fluorescent light source, we were able to directly detect the RFP expression of in in vitro-produced blastocysts derived with sperm from the RFP TG cat. These results indicate that the RFP TG cat exhibits normal reproductive fertility, stable germ-line transmission of the RFP transgene, and characteristic RFP expression in its offspring. We isolated feline neural progenitor cells from a 45-day-old fetus derived from the natural mating of the RFP TG cat with a domestic female cat. Isolated brain and retinal progenitor cells were successfully passaged at least four times post isolation (day 23), and showed a high RFP expression level. This method of producing genetically modified cloned cats will be important for generating biomedical models of human diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified*
  • Cats*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Organism / methods
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Female
  • Germ Cells*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Karyotyping
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics*
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Pregnancy
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins