Generation of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor gene knockout mice

Pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) is synthesized in the acinar cells of the pancreas and acts as a potent protease inhibitor that inhibits intrapancreatic activation of trypsin to prevent the occurrence of pancreatitis. Recently, we and other groups reported that some patients with chronic pancreatitis had a point mutation in the PSTI gene. Genetic mutations in the PSTI gene seem to promote a predisposition to pancreatitis, possibly by lowering the threshold of pancreatitis caused by other factors. In order to prove this hypothesis, we generated PSTI knockout mice using cre/mutant lox system. Heterozygous offsprings of chimeras appeared entirely normal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]