Identification of the transgene insertion site for an adipocyte-specific adiponectin-cre model and characterization of the functional consequences

The <i>Adipoq-Cre</i> transgenic mouse is widely used in the development of adipocyte-specific genetic manipulations for the study of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In the process of developing a new mouse model utilizing the adipocyte selective <i>Adipoq-Cre</i> transgenic mouse, strong genetic linkage between a gene of interest, <i>Adam10</i>, and the <i>Adipoq-Cre</i> transgene was discovered. Whole-genome sequencing of the <i>Adipoq-Cre</i> transgenic mouse model identified the genomic insertion site within the <i>Tbx18</i> gene locus on chromosome 9 and this insertion causes a significant decrease in <i>Tbx18</i> gene expression in adipose tissue. Insertion of genes <i>Kng2, Kng1, Eif4a2</i> and <i>Rfc4</i> also occurred in the <i>Adipoq-Cre</i> transgenic mouse, and these passenger genes may have functional consequences in various tissues.