UGT1A Locus Transgenic Mice

Background: The UCP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A) gene locus has been shown to code for several different gene products that function as the means to eliminate a variety of drug substances, environmental toxins, steroids, and heme metabolites. This classic detoxification process in vertebrates has been exploited to understand the contribution of glucuronidation toward epithelial first-pass metabolism. In rodents, where the gene locus is somewhat conserved, the regulation is slightly different. What this means is that when rodents are used for metabolic studies in classic drug-development experiments, the results may not accurately predict the metabolic pattern that will later be observed in man.

Technology Description: Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a transgenic mouse that carries the entire UGT1A locus, over 250 kb of DNA, and found that it is regulated, like in man, in a tissue-specific and inducible fashion. These humanized mice are viable and the expression patterns have been characterized. By placing the gene locus into an in vivo environment that can be targeted by tissue-specific regulatory elements, it will be possible to examine the events involved in the control of the locus.

Advantages: For the first time, researchers will be able to examine how the gene is controlled and ultimately to accurately demonstrate how drugs or toxins are cleared, imitating human drug metabolism.

State of Development: A patent application has been filed.

Case Number: SD2005-033

Inquiries To: invent@ucsd.edu