Question

The human protein obtained from transgenic animals used to treat emphysema is

• A. Insulin
• B. $\alpha$ - Lactalbumin
• C. $\alpha$ - 1 antitrypsin
• D. $\beta$ - Lactalbumin

Hint:

A1AT ($\alpha$-1 antitrypsin) is the standard textbook answer for treating emphysema via transgenic animal products.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept: Transgenic animals are often genetically modified to produce valuable biological products for human medicinal use.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach: Recall the specific therapeutic proteins produced by transgenic animals and the human diseases they target.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation: Emphysema is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by the degradation of alveolar walls, often due to a deficiency in a specific protective enzyme.
To treat this, transgenic sheep and other animals have been developed to produce a specific human protein in their milk.
This therapeutic protein is $\alpha$-1 antitrypsin.
Insulin is used for diabetes and is generally produced by recombinant bacteria (E. coli).
$\alpha$-Lactalbumin is a protein enriched in the milk of the transgenic cow 'Rosie' to make it nutritionally superior for human babies.
Step 4: Final Answer: The correct option is (3).