ERG (ETS transcription factor) encodes a member of a large family of transcription factors, all of which are key regulators of embryonic development, cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and apoptosis. ERG is involved in chromosomal translocations and is often dysregulated in cancers. TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease, serine 2)-ERG translocation is the most common molecular alteration in half of all prostate cancers. Tmprss2 (transmembrane protease, serine 2) codes for a cell surface serine protease that is expressed in many epithelial tissues, including luminal epithelial cells of the prostate. These Probasin-rtTA;tetO-ERG mice express the rtTA protein under the control of the rat Pbsn gene promoter as well as a human HA-tagged ERG sequence under the regulation of a tetracycline-responsive promoter element (TRE; tetO). The human ERG sequence initiates at amino acid 40, reflecting the protein generated from the most common TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion. Mice homozygous for both transgenes are viable and fertile, with no overt phenotype. After exposure to tetracycline analog doxycycline (dox) diet for 24 consecutive days, human ERG is detected in ventral prostate. These Probasin-rtTA;tetO-ERG bi-transgenic mice are useful for studying inducible expression of human ERG in the prostate. Of note, the Tg(tetO-ERG)2Sbp construct also includes an IRES-EGFP sequence. The donating investigator indicates that they can detect EGFP by immunoblot and RT-PCR; however, they have not attempted to measure EGFP by immunofluorescence.

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Probasin-rtTA;tetO-ERG mice express the rtTA protein under the control of the rat Pbsn gene promoter as well as a a human HA-tagged ERG sequence under the regulation of a tetracycline-responsive promoter element (TRE; tetO). This bi-transgenic mouse line allows for dox-inducible prostate-specific expression of human ERG, which may be useful for studying prostate cancer.

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