The widely used Ucp1-Cre transgene elicits complex developmental and metabolic phenotypes.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic models, including most Cre-recombinases, enable potent interrogation of gene function in vivo but require rigorous validation as limitations emerge. Due to its high relevance to metabolic studies, we perform comprehensive analysis of the Ucp1-Cre^Evdr line which is widely used for brown fat research. Hemizygotes exhibit major brown and white fat transcriptomic dysregulation, indicating potential altered tissue function. Ucp1-Cre^Evdr homozygotes also show high mortality, tissue specific growth defects, and craniofacial abnormalities. Mapping the transgene insertion site reveals insertion in chromosome 1 accompanied by large genomic alterations disrupting several genes expressed in a range of tissues. Notably, Ucp1-Cre^Evdr<

SUBMITTER: Halurkar MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11742029 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature