2008 Savremena poljoprivreda 57 1-2.indd - Poljoprivredni fakultet ...

„SAVREMENA POLJOPRIVREDA“ VOL. 57, 1–2 (2008) STR. 131–135, NOVI SAD
HUMAN PROTEIN C PRODUCTION IN THE MILK
OF F3 GENERATION TRANSGENIC RABBITS
PETER CHRENEK, SAŠA DRAGIN, ALEKSANDAR BOŽIĆ 1
UDK: 636.92.028: 575.222.7
ABSTRACT: The stability of transgene transmission, milk production and milk
content of recombinant human protein C (rhPC) in transgenic rabbits of F3 generation
was determined. Transgenic rabbits carrying the 4.2kb mouse whey acid
protein promoter and 9.4 kb genomic human protein C were born after mating of
transgenic (F2 generation) and non-transgenic rabbits. PCR analysis of samples
from F3 generation showed, that transgene was transmitted. Milk production,
obtained at 10 th , 15 th , 20 th , 30 th day of the fi rst lactation by weight-suckle-weight
method, showed no signifi cant difference between transgenic and non-transgenic
does. Concerning rhPC secretion, Western blotting detected a light chain (21
kDa) of rhPC in the milk and ELISA test confi rmed rhPC at the level of 0.109–
0.560 μg/ml. Milk sample of non-transgenic rabbit was hPC negative. In conclusion,
the stabilty of hPC transgene transmission and production of rhPC protein
C was confi rmed in F3 generation of transgenic rabbits, with similar effi ciency as
in F1 and F2 generations, without reduction of milk production.
Key words: rhPC, transgenic, rabbit, milk production
INTRODUCTION
The selection criterion for choosing the most suitable species for gene farming can
be based on quantity of protein needed per year. Compared with the larger farm animals,
rabbits have unique features. The protein content of rabbit milk is 2.5 times higher than
sheep milk, 4.8 time higher than goat milk and about 5.5 time higher comparing with
cow´s milk. Lactating rabbit female can produce 170–220 g of milk per day and yield up
to 10 kg of milk per year under semiautomatic hygienic milking conditions (Duby et al.,
1993).
The other criterion which infl uences choosing the species for transgenesis are reproductive
capabilities focused on reproductive interval and number of offspring per litter
Originalni naučni rad / Original scientifi c paper
1 Peter Chrenek, PhD, Research Institute of Animal Production, Nitra, Slovak Republic; dr Saša Dragin,
dr Aleksandar Božić, vanredni profesor. Poljoprivredni fakultet, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu.
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