β-Glucanase specific expression in the parotid gland of transgenic mice

The feasibility of using the pig parotid secretory protein promoter to drive the beta-glucanase transgene expression in mouse parotid glands was examined in this study. The parotid gland-specific vector expressing beta-glucanase gene (GLU, from Paenibacillus polymyxa CP7) was constructed. Transgenic mice were produced by the pronuclear microinjection. Both PCR and Southern blot analysis showed that the mice carried the beta-glucanase gene and the beta-glucanase gene could be stably inherited. Furthermore, RT-PCR and northern blot analysis indicated that it was specifically expressed in the parotid. The beta-glucanase activity in the saliva was found to be 0.18 U/mL. After feeding a diet containing 2 % beta-glucan, the average daily gain of transgenic was significantly higher than non-transgenic mice. The crude protein and crude fat concentration in faeces of transgenic mice were significantly reduced compared with that of the non-transgenic mice. These results suggest that the successful expression of foreign beta-glucanase in the animal parotid would offer a promising biological approach to reduce the anti-nutritional effect of beta-glucans in feed.