Transgenic rats overexpressing the human MrgX3 gene show cataracts and an abnormal skin phenotype

Journal Article · Fri May 13 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.03.027· OSTI ID:20709175

Kaisho, Yoshihiko ^[1]; Watanabe, Takuya ^[2]; Nakata, Mitsugu ^[1]; Yano, Takashi ^[1]; Yasuhara, Yoshitaka ^[1]; Shimakawa, Kozo ^[3]; Mori, Ikuo ^[4]; Sakura, Yasufumi ^[3]; Terao, Yasuko ^[1]; Matsui, Hideki ^[5]; Taketomi, Shigehisa ^[1]

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1. Pharmacology Research Laboratories I, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka (Japan)
2. Strategic Research Planning, Research Management Department, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka (Japan)
3. Takeda RABICS Limited, Osaka (Japan)
4. Development Research Center, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka (Japan)
5. Discovery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka (Japan)

The human MrgX3 gene, belonging to the mrgs/SNSRs (mass related genes/sensory neuron specific receptors) family, was overexpressed in transgenic rats using the actin promoter. Two animal lines showed cataracts with liquification/degeneration and swelling of the lens fiber cells. The transient epidermal desquamation was observed in line with higher gene expression. Histopathology of the transgenic rats showed acanthosis and focal parakeratosis. In the epidermis, there was an increase in cellular keratin 14, keratin 10, and loricrin, as well as PGP 9.5 in innervating nerve fibers. These phenotypes accompanied an increase in the number of proliferating cells. These results suggest that overexpression of the human MrgX3 gene causes a disturbance of the normal cell-differentiation process.

• OSTI ID: 20709175
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 330; ISSN 0006-291X; ISSN BBRCA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ACTIN
CATARACTS
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
EPIDERMIS
FIBERS
GENES
GTP-ASES
KERATIN
NERVE CELLS
PHENOTYPE
RATS
RECEPTORS