A general approach to the non-invasive imaging of transgenes using cis-linked herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Non-invasive imaging of gene expression opens new prospects for the study of transgenic animals and the implementation of genetically based therapies in patients. We have sought to establish a general paradigm to enable whole body non-invasive imaging of any transgene. We show that the expression and imaging of HSV1-tk (a marker gene) can be used to monitor the expression of the LacZ gene (a second gene) under the transcriptional control of a single promoter within a bicistronic unit that includes a type II internal ribosomal entry site. In cells bearing a single copy of the vector, the expression of the two genes is proportional and constant, both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that non-invasive imaging of HSV1-tk gene accurately reflects the topology and activity of the other cis-linked transgene.

publication date

  • October 1, 1999

Research

keywords

  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Simplexvirus
  • Thymidine Kinase
  • Transgenes

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC1508100

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0033205584

PubMed ID

  • 10935486

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 1

issue

  • 4