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HEREDITAS(Beijing) ›› 2015, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (12): 1211-1217.doi: 10.16288/j.yczz.15-160

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Expression analysis of green fluorescent protein in tissues and organs in α-1,3 galactosyltransferase knockout pigs

Zhifang Li1, 2, Chong Feng2, Huili Ji1, 2, Ningning Shi2, Xiaofeng Song2, Qinli Zhao2, Chuan Long2, Dengke Pan2, Xiaogan Yang1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources,Guangxi University, Nanning 530004,China;
    2. Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resource and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193, China
  • Received:2015-04-15 Online:2015-12-20 Published:2015-08-12

Abstract: The pig is an ideal source to provide organs because its organ size and physiology are similar to humans. However, an acute rejection will ensue after pig-to-human xenotransplantation. The α-1,3 galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GTKO) pigs were generated in recent years, and could solve the problem of hyperacute rejection. But due to lack of reporting genes, the rejection status of cells and organs post pig-to-human xenotransplantation cannot be visualized. In this study, we introduced the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene driven by the CAG promoter into GTKO porcine ear fibroblasts. Then we produced transgenic pigs expressing the EGFP gene by nuclear transfer technology. Expression levels of EGFP in different tissues and organs of the cloned pig were investigated by Nightsea DFP-1 Fluorescent Protein Flashlight, fluorescence microscope and quantitative PCR assays. The results showed that the protein and transcript of EGFP were expressed in all tissues and organs of the GTKO pig, but the expression was weak in the liver and central nervous system. In conclusion, we have successfully produced the transgenic GTKO pigs expressing EGFP in all tested tissues and organs, which builds up a good basis to track transplanted cells or tissues.

Key words: GTKO, EGFP, pig, xenotransplation