Bone mass increase specific to the female in a line of transgenic mice overexpressing human osteoblast stimulating factor-1

J Bone Miner Metab. 2004;22(3):278-82. doi: 10.1007/s00774-003-0485-8.

Abstract

We have reported that transgenic mice overexpressing human osteoblast stimulating factor-1 (osf1) under the control of the human osteocalcin promoter have a significantly higher bone mineral content and density than nontransgenic littermates. Consequently, bone mass loss due to estrogen deficiency was compensated for in ovariectomized female mice. Here, we show that in this transgenic line, the bone mass increase was evident in female, but not male, mice, as evaluated using the ash assay, double-emission X-ray analysis, and calcein double-labeling to determine the bone formation rate. To elucidate a possible influence on gene expression, we analyzed genomic structures of the inserted transgene and its flanking regions in mouse chromosomes. The results revealed that the transgene was integrated in the mouse repetitive sequences, 234-bp-long gamma-satellite repeats, as inverted multiple (5 + 8) copies. Twelve copies at most seemed to be functional, but no direct evidence supporting female-specific mRNA synthesis of the transgene was obtained.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Bone Development*
  • Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology*
  • Bone and Bones / physiology
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / genetics*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Femur / anatomy & histology
  • Femur / physiology
  • Gene Expression
  • Genomics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Organ Size
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Vertebrates / anatomy & histology
  • Vertebrates / physiology

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • pleiotrophin