IN-VIVO EFFECTS OF ACTIVATED H-RAS ONCOGENE EXPRESSED IN THE LIVER AND IN UROGENITAL TISSUES

Transgenic mouse technology provides a direct genetic approach to in v ivo carcinogenesis. In order to determine the oncogenic potential of a n activated ros gene in liver, kidney and intestine, we created transg enic mice expressing the human H-ras oncogene under control of the L-t ype pyruvate-kinase gene. This gene is expressed in hepatocytes, enter ocytes, proximal tubular cells of the kidney and endocrine pancreatic cells. Depending on lines, we observed hepatocarcinoma, polycystic kid ney disease and an unexpected epididymis hyperplasia. These transgenic mice are an interesting model of polycystic kidney disease, and compl ete our study of the tissue-specificity of oncogene action. (C) 1997 W iley-Liss, Inc.