Overview

Also Known As:Gal-Tg

These GAL Tg mice overexpress galanin in the anterior pituitary gland causing circulating galanin and prolactin levels to be chronically elevated. Mice may be useful for the study of pituitary hyperplasia, metabolic syndrome and neuroregeneration research including as a therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis.

Donating Investigator

Maria Vrontakis, University of Manitoba

Genetic overview

Genetic Background	Generation

Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

Allele Type
Transgenic (Inserted expressed sequence)

View Genetics

Research Applications

Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research
Neurobiology Research
Diabetes and Obesity Research
Cancer Research
Endocrine Deficiency Research
Metabolism Research

View All Research Applications

Details

Detailed Description

Galanin is a neuroendocrine peptide that is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system. Galanin functions in neuronal survival, as a growth factor and in neurogenesis. These GAL Tg mice overexpress galanin in the anterior pituitary gland causing circulating galanin and prolactin levels to be chronically elevated. In male mice, serum growth hormone levels are increased. GAL-Tg mice used in a cuprizone demyelination model of multiple sclerosis exhibit an attenuation of oligodendrocyte depletion. Chronic elevation of galanin also results in increased body weight, visceral adiposity, increased serum tryiglycerides, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance independent of food intake or activity.

These mice may be useful for the study of pituitary hyperplasia, metabolic syndrome and neuroregeneration research including as a therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis.

Development

The transgenic construct contains a full length rat preprogalanin cDNA fused to a rat growth hormone promoter. The construct was introduced into (C57BL/6 x SJL)F2 fertilized mouse eggs by pronuclear injection. Founder line 4599 was subsequently established and crossed to Swiss CD-1 mice. Mice were subsequently backcrossed to C57BL/6 for approximately 30 generations. Upon arrival to The Jackson Laboratory, mice were bred to C57BL/6J to establish the colony.

Expression Data

Expressed Gene	Gal, galanin and GMAP prepropeptide, rat
Site of Expression

Control Suggestions

000664 C57BL/6J

Additional Information

Considerations for Choosing Controls

Selected References

Perumal P; Vrontakis ME. 2003. Transgenic mice over-expressing galanin exhibit pituitary adenomas and increased secretion of galanin, prolactin and growth hormone. J Endocrinol 179(2):145-54PubMed: 14596666 MGI: J:86486

View All References

Genetics

Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

Allele Symbol: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

Allele Name	transgene insertion 4599, M E Vrontakis
Allele Type	Transgenic (Inserted expressed sequence)
Allele Synonym(s)	galanin; GAL-Tg; Tg(Gh-Gal)#Vron
Gene Symbol and Name	Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron, transgene insertion 4599, M E Vrontakis
Gene Synonym(s)
Promoter	Gh, Growth Hormone, rat
Expressed Gene	Gal, galanin and GMAP prepropeptide, rat
Strain of Origin	C57BL/6 or SJL
Chromosome	UN
Molecular Note	The rat preprogalanin full length cDNA, including the polyA tail was cloned downstream of a 320 bp fragment containing the rat Gh promoter. Transgene expression was observed in the pituitary, but was not observed in the ovary, testis, spleen, liver or fat.

Disease/Phenotype

Disease Terms

Research Areas By Phenotype

This mouse can be used to support research in many areas including:

Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research
Neurobiology Research
- Metabolic Defects
- Myelination Defects
Diabetes and Obesity Research
- Insulin Resistance
- Hyperinsulinemia
Cancer Research
- Increased Tumor Incidence
  - Other Tissues/Organs: pituitary
Endocrine Deficiency Research
- Hypothalamus/Pituitary Defects
Metabolism Research
- Lipid Metabolism

Mammalian Phenotype Terms by Genotype

The following phenotype information is associated with a similar, but not exact match to this JAX^® Mice strain

Genotype: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron/Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron
B6.Cg-Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

adipose tissue phenotype

increased abdominal fat pad weight
- visceral fat pad is increased

increased epididymal fat pad weight

homeostasis/metabolism phenotype

increased cholesterol level
- total cholesterol is increased as compared to controls

decreased oxygen consumption
- decrease in VO2 and VCO2 as compared to controls

decreased basal metabolism
- heat production is decreased as compared to controls

impaired glucose tolerance
- glucose clearance rate is lower than controls during glucose tolerance test

increased circulating insulin level
- fasting and non-fasting serum insulin is increased as compared to controls

increased triglyceride level

liver/biliary system phenotype

enlarged liver

hepatic steatosis

pale liver

growth/size/body region phenotype

enlarged liver

increased body weight
- body weight is increased to 35.6% of controls by 9 months, however food intake is not increased
- beginning at 2 months of age, body weight is increased as compared to controls

increased body length

increased body size
- waist circumference is increased

Genotype: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron/?
involves: C57BL/6 * CD-1 * SJL

endocrine/exocrine gland phenotype

pituitary gland hyperplasia
- pituitary gland is visibly larger in transgenic animals by 12 months of age

increased pituitary adenoma incidence
- pituitary adenomas are observed in mice at 8 months of age

homeostasis/metabolism phenotype

increased circulating growth hormone level
- growth hormone levels are increased in both sexes, but the increase is only significant in males

increased circulating prolactin level
- increase in prolactin serum levels is correlated with increase in galanin serum levels in male transgenic mice
- prolactin serum levels are increased in both sexes, but the increase is greater in males (9 fold versus 2 fold)

neoplasm

increased pituitary adenoma incidence
- pituitary adenomas are observed in mice at 8 months of age

nervous system phenotype

pituitary gland hyperplasia
- pituitary gland is visibly larger in transgenic animals by 12 months of age

increased pituitary adenoma incidence
- pituitary adenomas are observed in mice at 8 months of age

References

Perumal P; Vrontakis ME. 2003. Transgenic mice over-expressing galanin exhibit pituitary adenomas and increased secretion of galanin, prolactin and growth hormone. J Endocrinol 179(2):145-54PubMed: 14596666 MGI: J:86486

Additional - Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron related

Technical Support

CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Genotyping Protocols
- Standard PCR:Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron
- Genotyping resources and troubleshooting
Breeding Considerations

While maintaining a live colony, these mice are bred as homozygotes.
- Additional Breeding and Husbandry Support
Citation
When using the Gal-Tg mouse strain in a publication, please cite the originating article(s) and include MMRRC stock #37404 in your Materials and Methods section.

Animal Health Reports

Facility Barrier Level Descriptions

Production of mice from cryopreserved embryos or sperm occurs in a maximum barrier room, G200

The Jackson Laboratory's Genotype Promise

The Jackson Laboratory has rigorous genetic quality control and mutant gene genotyping programs to ensure the genetic background of JAX® Mice strains as well as the genotypes of strains with identified molecular mutations. JAX® Mice strains are only made available to researchers after meeting our standards. However, the phenotype of each strain may not be fully characterized and/or captured in the strain data sheets. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a strain's phenotype will meet all expectations. To ensure that JAX® Mice will meet the needs of individual research projects or when requesting a strain that is new to your research, we suggest ordering and performing tests on a small number of mice to determine suitability for your particular project. We do not guarantee breeding performance and therefore suggest that investigators order more than one breeding pair to avoid delays in their research.

Terms Of Use

General Terms and Conditions

See MMRRC for Additional Conditions of Distribution

Questions about Terms of Use

Licensing Information

Phone: 207-288-6470

Email: TechTran@jax.org

Also Known As:Gal-Tg

Donating Investigator

Genetic overview

Research Applications

Detailed Description

Development

Expression Data

Control Suggestions

Additional Information

Selected References

Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

Allele Symbol: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

Disease Terms

Research Areas By Phenotype

This mouse can be used to support research in many areas including:

Mammalian Phenotype Terms by Genotype

Genotype: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron/Tg(Gh-Gal)4599VronB6.Cg-Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

adipose tissue phenotype

homeostasis/metabolism phenotype

liver/biliary system phenotype

growth/size/body region phenotype

Genotype: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron/?involves: C57BL/6 * CD-1 * SJL

endocrine/exocrine gland phenotype

homeostasis/metabolism phenotype

neoplasm

nervous system phenotype

References

Additional - Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron related

Genotyping Protocols

Breeding Considerations

Citation

Animal Health Reports

Production of mice from cryopreserved embryos or sperm occurs in a maximum barrier room, G200

The Jackson Laboratory's Genotype Promise

Terms Of Use

Licensing Information

Genotype: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron/Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron
B6.Cg-Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron

Genotype: Tg(Gh-Gal)4599Vron/?
involves: C57BL/6 * CD-1 * SJL