Temporal expression of the transgenic human protamine gene cluster

Objective: To ascertain the fidelity of expression of the genes from the tr ansgenic human sperm-specific nuclear packaging protamine- 1-->protamine-2- ->transition protein-? (PRM1-->PRM2-->TNP2) locus. Design: Controlled human trans,gene study. Setting: Basic science laboratory. Animal(s): Age-matched transgenic and nontransgenic mice. Intervention(s): Transgenic mice containing the human protamine locus were mated. One testis from each offspring was frozen at - 80 degrees C and the other was preserved in formalin. Main Outcome Measure(s): The temporal expression of the human and mouse pro tamines was evaluated by Northern blot analysis. Orientation of the transge nic locus was determined by Southern blot analysis. Tissue morphology was a ssessed histologically. Result(s): Conservation of transgenic morphology was confirmed. Head-to-tai l integration of the PRM1-->PRM2-->TNP2 locus was shown. Temporal expressio n of the mouse and human protamine genes was University, Detroit, maintaine d in the transgenic state. Michigan. A. Conclusion(s): These results show that the head-to-tail concatomer of the P RM1-->PRM2-->TNP2 locus in contains all the necessary elements for appropri ate temporal expression while maintaining testicular structure and function .