Transgenic engineering of male-specific muscular hypertrophy

in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2005), 102(18), 6413-6418

Using a two-step procedure involving insertional gene targeting and recombinase-mediated cassette exchange in ES cells, we have produced two lines of transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative latency ... [more ▼]

Using a two-step procedure involving insertional gene targeting and recombinase-mediated cassette exchange in ES cells, we have produced two lines of transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative latency-associated myostatin propeptide under control of the myosin light chain 1F promoter and 1/3 enhancer from the TSPY locus on the Y chromosome. Males of the corresponding lines are characterized by a 5-20% increase in skeletal muscle mass. This experiment demonstrates the feasibility of a more efficient cattle production system combining superior beef production abilities for bulls and dairy abilities for cows. [less ▲]