EXPRESSION OF HUMAN LACTOFERRIN IN MILK OF TRANSGENIC MICE

The expression of human lactoferrin (hLF) in the milk of transgenic mi ce is described. Regulatory sequences derived from the bovine alpha S1 -casein gene were fused to the coding sequence of the hLF cDNA and sev eral lines of transgenic mice were generated. Human LF RNA was detecte d exclusively in the mammary gland of lactating females and only after the onset of lactation. No aberrant RNA products could be detected us ing northern blotting and primer extension analysis. The hLF concentra tions in the milk ranged from less than 0.1 to 36 mu g ml(-1). Human L F thus expressed did not differ from human milk derived LF, with respe ct to molecular mass and immunoreactivity with monoclonal and polyclon al antibodies.