Expression of the Guinea Pig Alpha-Lactalbumin Gene in Transgenic Mice

The study investigated the expression of the guinea pig α-lactalbumin gene in transgenic mice to understand gene regulation mechanisms of milk protein genes. Two lines of transgenic mice were created, and both expressed the transgene at levels similar to guinea pigs, with guinea pig α-lactalbumin secreted into their milk. The transgene mRNA was correctly initiated, processed, and expressed at high levels in the mammary glands and skin of the transgenic mice. However, guinea pig α-lactalbumin protein was not detected in the skin. In situ hybridization showed that transgene expression in mammary tissues was limited to the secretory acini, while in the skin, it was confined to the sebaceous glands' ducts.