Gene targeting strategy for B-hMET mice. The exons 3-14 of mouse Met gene that encode extracellular domain were replaced by human counterparts in B-hMET mice. The genomic region of mouse Met gene that encodes transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic portion was retained. The promoter, 5’UTR and 3’UTR region, and signal peptide of the mouse gene were also retained. The chimeric MET expression was driven by endogenous mouse Met promoter, while mouse Met gene transcription and translation will be disrupted.  

Strain specific analysis of MET gene expression in wild-type mice and heterozygous B-hMET mice by RT-PCR. Mouse Met mRNA was detectable only in hepatocytes of wild-type mice (+/+) and heterozygous B-hMET mice (H/+). Human MET mRNA was detectable only in heterozygous B-hMET mice.

Strain specific MET expression analysis in heterozygous B-hMET mice by western blot. Liver were collected from wild-type mice (+/+) and heterozygous B-hMET mice (H/+), and analyzed by western blot with anti-MET antibody (CST, 3127S). MET was detectable in wild-type mice and heterozygous B-hMET mice due to the cross-reactivity of antibodies.