Avian Transgenesis and Exogenous Proteins

Abstract

This invention provides vectors and methods for the stable introduction of exogenous nucleic acid sequences into the genome of a bird and for expressing said exogenous sequences to alter the phenotype of the bird or to produce desired proteins. In particular, transgenic chickens are produced which express exogenous sequences in their oviducts. Eggs which contain exogenous proteins are also produced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exogenous protein produced in a tubular gland cell of a fully transgenic avian comprising an exogenous nucleotide sequence encoding said exogenous protein operably linked to a promoter in the genome. 
     
     
         2 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said protein is contained in egg white of an egg of the transgenic avian. 
     
     
         3 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said protein is obtained from a hard shell egg laid by the transgenic avian. 
     
     
         4 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said transgenic avian is a chicken. 
     
     
         5 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said promoter is a tissue specific promoter. 
     
     
         6 . The exogenous protein of  claim 5 , wherein said tissue specific promoter is an oviduct specific promoter. 
     
     
         7 . The exogenous protein of  claim 6 , wherein said oviduct specific promoter is an ovalbumin promoter. 
     
     
         8 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said protein is a human protein. 
     
     
         9 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said protein is an antibody. 
     
     
         10 . The exogenous protein of  claim 1 , wherein said protein is an enzyme.