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.
Maria Vrontakis, University of Manitoba
Genetic Background | Generation |
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Allele Type |
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Transgenic (Inserted expressed sequence) |
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.
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.
Expressed Gene | Gal, galanin and GMAP prepropeptide, rat |
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Site of Expression |
Allele Name | transgene insertion 4599, M E Vrontakis |
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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. |
While maintaining a live colony, these mice are bred as homozygotes.
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.
Facility Barrier Level Descriptions
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.
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