Title
The bladder as a bioreactor: Urothelium production and secretion of growth hormone into urine
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-26-1998
Abstract
Uroplakin genes are expressed in a bladder-specific and differentiation-dependent fashion. Using a 3.6-kb promoter of mouse uroplakin II gene, we have generated transgenic mice that express human growth hormone (hGH) in their bladder epithelium, resulting in its secretion into the urine at 100-500 ng/ml. The levels of urine hGH concentration remain constant for longer than 8 months. hGH is present as aggregates mostly in the uroplakin-delivering cytoplasmic vesicles that are targeted to fuse with the apical surface. Using the bladder as a bioreactor offers unique advantages, including the utility of all animals throughout their lives. Using urine, which contains little protein and lipid, as a starting material facilitates recombinant protein purification.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Nature Biotechnology
First Page
75
Last Page
79
Recommended Citation
Kerr, D., Liang, F., Bondioli, K., Zhao, H., Kreibich, G., Wall, R., & Sun, T. (1998). The bladder as a bioreactor: Urothelium production and secretion of growth hormone into urine. Nature Biotechnology, 16 (1), 75-79. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0198-75