TRANSGENIC ANIMALS RESISTANT TO TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES

摘要

The invention provides modified prion-encoding genes for the creation of transgenic bovine and cervid animals resistant to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The transgenic animals homozygous for the mutant genes continue to express a functional copy of the prion-encoding gene, thereby not interfering with the normal role of the polypeptide and effectively decreasing tendency for alteration of sleep-wake cycles.