Expression of human interferon β in mammary glands of transgenic rabbits

A biotechnological system for the production of human β-interferon was developed on the basis of a hybrid gene constructed from the coding sequence of the β interferon gene, inserted into the first exon of the sheep beta-lactoglobulin gene. It is intended for the expression of human β-interferon in mammary glands of transgenic animals. Two lines of transgenic rabbits were obtained using the hybrid gene. The tissue specificity of the expression of the transgene and the frequency of its inheritance in the first and second generations were studied. The activity of interferon was 2.2 × 10⁴ − 7.2 × 10⁴ IU per milliliter of milk of transgenic female rabbits.