Figure 2. Creation of transgenic mice overexpressing SOCS3 in skeletal muscle.

(A) The SOCS3 transgene construct. Transgenic mice (SOCS3) were crossed with MCK-Cre mice to generate mice over-expressing SOCS3 specifically in skeletal muscle (SOCS3/MCK). (B) SOCS3 mRNA is increased in SOCS3/MCK mice compared to SOCS3 mice. SOCS3 mRNA in various types of skeletal muscle was measured by real-time RT PCR. Gas: gastrocnemius; Sol: soleus; EDL: extensor digitorum longus; TA: tibialis anterior. n = 4. (C) The tag protein GFP and the transgene-encoded protein SOCS3-HA are expressed in gastrocnemius skeletal muscle. The proteins were detected by immunoblotting using specific antibodies.