| abstract |
A process for producing a transgenic mammal, especially a mouse which contains and expresses a heterologous gene, especially the human insulin hormone gene. The insulin gene is expressed only in the pancreas of the transgenic mouse and is regulated by glucose, glucagon, or other insulin affectors in a manner which is indistinguishable from that of normal mice. Progeny of the transgenic mice inherit the human insulin gene in a Mendelian manner, with approximately 50% of the mice of each litter expressing the human insulin gene. The weights of the transgenic mice, growth rate, feeding behavior, reproductive capability, and longevity appear indistinguishable from normal mice. The mice are useful for studies of pharmacokinetics of insulin expression and for investigations of possible drug interactions with glucose homeostasis. |