Animal Model to Detect the Presence of Environmental Toxicants

Technology Description: UC San Diego researchers have developed a transgenic mouse that carries a reporter gene, CYP1A1, constructed from the human gene P450 that is linked through its promoter and regulatory regions to a luciferase reporter gene. Previously, only mouse or rat CYP1A1 genes were used, this is the first example of a human CYP1A1 gene integrated into the mouse genome. Activation of the gene is conducted through the dioxin or Ah receptor. Environmental toxicants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons will induce the gene; this is then followed by the increase of luciferase activity in the mice. The luciferase activity can be measured in the usual way by either extracting liver tissue or using a CDD camera.

Applications: The commercial applications of this invention are numerous:

  • Can be used to identify agents that induce CYP1A1 or activate the controlling transcriptional regulator of this gene, the dioxin or Ah receptor.
  • To identify drugs that are a potential target for the Ah receptor.
  • Can be used to explore the developmental impact of agents that might induce the CYP1A1 gene during development.
  • The animals can be crossbred with other mice that might be deficient in specific pathways that directly impact Ah receptor control.
  • May be an excellent model system for the identification of environmental toxicants.

Case Number: SD2004-144

Inquiries To: invent@ucsd.edu