Patent Evaluation: A Transgenic Animal Model for Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

Novelty: A transgenic rodent is disclosed which may be useful for studying Alzheimer's disease (AD). According to the present invention, a transgenic animal is provided which displays tissue-specific overexpression of a gene which encodes Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (AAP protein) in the regions of the brain where amyloid deposits are commonly found in patients with AD. The transgenic animals thus provide an in vivo model which possesses a physical condition that closely resembles a pathological condition of patients afflicted with AD.

Biology: The transgenic rodent has a transgene comprising a mammalian metallothionine I (MtI) promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (AAP protein) operably linked to a mammalian growth (GH) hormone 3′-untranslated region. A recombinant DNA molecule is also provided comprising a mammalian MtI promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes AAP protein operably linked to a mammalian GH 3′-untranslated region.