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Strain Detail Sheet

Published: 06/16/2025
Revised: 06/16/2025

Strain Name:
C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)304iLake/Mmmh
Stock Number:
071905-MU
Citation ID:
RRID:MMRRC_071905-MU
Other Names:
MexTAg 304Hom

Strain Information

Gene Details

Tg(MSLN-TAg)304iLake
Name: transgene insertion 304i, Richard A Lake
Synonyms: MexTAg
Type: Allele
Species: Multi-species
Chromosome: Unknown
Alteration at locus: Transgenic
TAg
Name: Simian virus 40 T antigen (SV40Tag)
Type: Gene
Species: Virus
Chromosome:
Alteration at locus: Transgenic
MSLN
Name: mesothelin
Type: Gene
Species: Homo sapiens (human)
Chromosome: 16
Alteration at locus: Transgenic
Genetic Alterations
A 1,850 bp fragment of the human mesothelin promoter drives expression of the SV40 large T antigen. This transgene is expressed in mesothelial cells. Transgenic line 304i carries 32 copies of the transgene.
ES Cell Line
C57Bl/6J-693 derived from C57BL/6J

Strain Description

Phenotype
SV40TAg is expressed in all mesothelial cells in MexTAg mice to varying levels depending on the MexTAg line. Mice carrying high copy numbers of SV40 TAg (304Hom; 64 copies and 299Het 97 copies) have moderate to severe phenotype changes. High copy number mice exhibit thin fur and a hunched back. They are also more prone to abscesses, ear infection, spontaneous tumors, limb, neck, or chest swelling. 299Het mice are prone to anal prolapse and skin tags. Heterozygous lines for 266, 270 and 304 display less severe phenotypes. However, these are not actively bred. All lines except 299h can be maintained as homozygotes. Upon asbestos exposure, 83%-100% of MexTAg mice will develop mesothelioma, with few, if any non-mesothelioma tumors. Minimal tumor development is observed in the absence of asbestos.
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming/genetics
  • Asbestos/poisoning
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Mesothelin
  • Mesothelioma/etiology
  • Mesothelioma/genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
  • Asbestos/toxicity
  • Contactin 2/metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/therapeutic use
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Irritants/toxicity
  • Male
  • Mesothelioma/drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms/drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms/etiology
  • Thioglycolates/toxicity
  • Antigens, Viral, Tumor/genetics
  • Antigens, Viral, Tumor/metabolism
  • Asbestos/adverse effects
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • E2F Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling/methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Mesothelioma/chemically induced
  • Mesothelioma/pathology
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods
Strain GQC Summary
Gene Specific Genotyping:

To request gene-specific and other genotyping services for a strain, please contact the distribution MMRRC Center for more information.

Background Genetic Quality:

The MMRRC has developed a Genetic Quality Control pipeline using the MiniMUGA array to provide additional information to identify and validate genetic backgrounds of MMRRC strains. For more information on whether genetic background data is available, please contact MMRRC_GeneticQC@med.unc.edu. Note: that MiniMUGA genetic background data is not available on all strains, but can be ordered if desired.

Suggested Control Mice
Littermates of all relevant genotypes.

Research Applications

  • Cancer
  • Models for Human Disease
  • Research Tools

Strain Origin

Donor
Richard Lake, Ph.D., University of Western Australia.
Cleo Robinson, Ph.D., University of Western Australia.
Primary Reference

Robinson C, van Bruggen I, Segal A, Dunham M, Sherwood A, Koentgen F, Robinson BW, Lake RA. A novel SV40 TAg transgenic model of asbestos-induced mesothelioma: malignant transformation is dose dependent. Cancer Res. 2006 Nov 15;66(22):10786-94. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-4668. (Medline PMID: 17108115)

Robinson C, Walsh A, Larma I, O'Halloran S, Nowak AK, Lake RA. MexTAg mice exposed to asbestos develop cancer that faithfully replicates key features of the pathogenesis of human mesothelioma. Eur J Cancer. 2011 Jan;47(1):151-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2010.08.015. Epub 2010 Sep 16. (Medline PMID: 20850297)

Robinson C, Dick IM, Wise MJ, Holloway A, Diyagama D, Robinson BW, Creaney J, Lake RA. Consistent gene expression profiles in MexTAg transgenic mouse and wild type mouse asbestos-induced mesothelioma. BMC Cancer. 2015 Dec 18;15:983. doi: 10.1186/s12885-015-1953-y. (Medline PMID: 26680231)

Strain Development
A 2,148-bp fragment containing the TAg open reading frame (ORF; SV40 strain 776) was generated with BglII and XbaI restriction endonuclease sites by PCR. The fragment was cloned downstream of 1,850 bp of the mesothelin promoter in pGL3MP1850 to generate pMexTAg. A 4.3-kb ClaI fragment, encompassing the promoter and ORF, was inserted into C57BL/6J embryonic stem cells. Founders were identified by Southern blot and bred and maintained as heterozygotes. The 304i carries 32 copies of the transgene.


Disclaimer: If MMRRC Strain Genetic Quality Control (GQC; based on MiniMUGA genotyping and analysis) has been completed for this strain, the information might differ from the genetic background information provided by the submitter. MiniMUGA genetic analysis is done on a strain’s tissue samples taken when archived by or ordered from the assigned MMRRC Center.

Colony and Husbandry Information

Special Considerations

N/A

Health Status Report

Colony Surveillance Program and Current Health Reports

Mice recovered from a cryo-archive will have health surveillance performed on recipient females. Health reports will be provided prior to shipment. If you require additional health status information, please email mmrrc@missouri.edu.

Appearance

Coat Color
Black
Eye
Black

Breeding

MMRRC Breeding System
Sib-mating
Generation
N/A
Overall Breeding Performance
Good

Reproductive Statistics

NOTE: "Hemizygote" as used here refers to males carrying a mutation on the X Chromosome or mice of either sex carrying an inserted transgene with no homologous allele on the other chromosome.
Viability and Fertility: Female Male Comments
Homozygotes are viable: Yes Yes
Homozygotes are fertile: Yes Yes
Hetero/Hemizygotes are fertile: Yes Yes
Age Reproductive Decline: Undetermined Undetermined
Average litter size
4 to 6
Recommended wean age
3 Weeks
Average Pups Weaned
4 to 6

Order Information

Availability Level

Limited quantities of breeder mice (recovered litter) are available from a cryoarchive; recovered litter usually available to ship in 3 to 4 months.

Cryopreserved material may be available upon request, please inquire to mmrrc@missouri.edu for more information.

A Commercial License Agreement from the Donor is required for for-profit entities to use this strain. For more information, please contact Jenette Creaney.

Conditions of Distribution

Distribution of this strain requires submission of the MMRRC Conditions of Use (COU). A link to the COU web form will be provided via email after an order has been placed; the form should be completed then or the email forwarded to your institutional official for completion.

A Commercial License Agreement from the Submitter is required for for-profit entities to use this strain. For more information, please contact Jenette Creaney

Fees

Additional charges may apply for any special requests. Shipping costs are in addition to the basic distribution/resuscitation fees. Information on shipping costs and any additional charges will be provided by the supplying MMRRC facility.

Click button to Request this one strain. (Use the MMRRC Catalog Search to request more than one strain.)
MMRRC Item # Description Distribution Fee / Unit (US $)
*Shipping & Handling not included*		 Units Notes
071905-MU-SPERM Cryo-preserved spermatozoa $437.00 / $817.00
Non-Profit / For-Profit		 Aliquot Approximate quantity3
071905-MU-RESUS Litter recovered from cryo-archive $2,624.00 / $5,340.00
Non-Profit / For-Profit		 Litter Recovered litter4; additional fees for any special requests.
Cryopreserved material may be available upon request, please inquire to mmrrc@missouri.edu for more information.

1 The distribution fee covers the expense of rederiving mice from a live mouse; you will receive the resulting litter. The litter will contain at minimum one mutant carrier; the actual number of animals and the gender and genotype ratios will vary. (Typically, multiple breeder pairs can be established from the recovered litter.) Prior to shipment, the MMRRC will provide information about the animals recovered. If you anticipate or find that you need to request specific genotypes, genders or quantities of mice in excess of what is likely from a resuscitated litter, you may discuss available options and pricing with the supplying MMRRC facility.

2 An aliquot contains a sufficient number of embryos (in one or more vials or straws and based on the transfer success rate of the MMRRC facility) to transfer into one to three recipients. The MMRRC makes no guarantee concerning embryo transfer success experienced in the recipient investigator's laboratory. Neither gender nor genotype ratios are guaranteed.

3 An aliquot is one straw or vial with sufficient sperm to recover at least one litter of mice, as per provided protocols, when performed at the MMRRC facility. The MMRRC makes no guarantee concerning the success of these procedures when performed outside the MMRRC facilities.

4 The distribution fee covers the expense of resuscitating mice from the cryo-archive; you will receive the resulting litter. The litter will contain at minimum one mutant carrier; the actual number of animals and the gender and genotype ratios will vary. (Typically, multiple breeder pairs can be established from the recovered litter.) Prior to shipment, the MMRRC will provide information about the animals recovered. If you anticipate or find that you need to request specific genotypes, genders or quantities of mice in excess of what is likely from a resuscitated litter, you may discuss available options and pricing with the supplying MMRRC facility.

To request material from the MMRRC: Please fill out our on-line request form (accessible from the catalog search results page, or click the Request this Strain button in the fees section). If you have questions or need assistance completing this form, you may call Customer Service at (800) 910-2291 (in USA or Canada) or (530) 757-5710 (international calls). Before you call, please have with you: the MMRRC item number, quantity needed, Bill-to and Ship-to contact information.