Conditional overexpression of transgenes in megakaryocytes and platelets in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Megakaryocyte (MK)-specific transgene expression has proved valuable in studying thrombotic and hemostatic processes. Constitutive expression of genes, however, could result in altered phenotypes due to compensatory mechanisms or lethality. To circumvent these limitations, we used the tetracycline/doxycycline (Tet)-off system to conditionally over-express genes in megakaryocytes and platelets in vivo. We generated 3 transactivator transgenic lines expressing the Tet transactivator element (tTA), under the control of the MK-specific platelet factor 4 promoter (PF4-tTA-VP16). Responder lines were simultaneously generated, each with a bidirectional minimal cytomegalovirus (CMV)-tTA responsive promoter driving prokaryotic beta-galactosidase gene, as a cellular reporter, and a gene of interest

SUBMITTER: Nguyen HG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1895218 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature