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The widely used Ucp1-CreEvdr 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 performed comprehensive analysis of the Ucp1-CreEvdr line which is widely used for brown fat research. Hemizygotes exhibited major brown and white fat transcriptomic dysregulation, indicating potential altered tissue function. Ucp1-CreEvdr homozygotes also show high mortality, tissue specific growth defects, and craniofacial abnormalities. Mapping the transgene insertion site revealed insertion in chromosome 1 accompanied by large genomic alterations disrupting several genes expressed in a range of tissues. Notably, Ucp1-CreEvdr transgene retains an extra Ucp1 gene copy that may be highly expressed under high thermogenic burden. Our multi-faceted analysis highlights a complex phenotype arising from the presence of the Ucp1-CreEvdr transgene independently of intended genetic manipulations.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE276292 | GEO | 2024/11/20

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Non-shivering thermogenesis in adipocytes is mediated by brown adipose tissue, purportedly through the sole action of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). The physiological relevance of UCP1-dependent thermogenesis has primarily been inferred from the attenuation of thermogenic output of mice genetically lacking Ucp1 from birth (germline Ucp1-/-). However, germline Ucp1-/- mice harbor secondary changes within brown adipose tissue beyond UCP1, such as reduced electron transport chain abundance. We show here that these secondary changes also encompass reduced expression of genes regulating fuel liberation, changes that would attenuate the capacity of any thermogenic pathway. Therefore, the quantitative contribution of UCP1-dependent and -independent thermogenesis is not fully understood. To mitigate the potentially confounding ancillary changes to brown adipose tissue of germline Ucp1-/- mice, we constructed mice with inducible adipocyte-selective disruption of Ucp1. We find that, while germline Ucp1-/- mice succumb to cold-induced hypothermia with complete penetrance, most mice with inducible deletion of Ucp1 maintain homeothermy in the cold. However, inducible adipocyte-selective co-deletion of Ucp1 and creatine kinase B (Ckb, an effector of UCP1-independent thermogenesis) exacerbates cold-intolerance, indicative of a negative genetic interaction and thus a parallel thermogenic function. We find no evidence for impairments in insulation or non-shivering thermogenesis in skeletal muscle that would drive this phenotype. Furthermore, following UCP1 deletion or UCP1/CKB co-deletion from mature adipocytes, moderate cold exposure triggers the regeneration of mature adipocytes that coordinately restore UCP1 and CKB to brown adipose tissue, providing further evidence of their parallel thermogenic relationship. Our findings suggest that thermogenic adipocytes utilize non-paralogous protein redundancy – through UCP1 and CKB – to promote cold-induced energy dissipation.

Project description:Purpose: To investigate alterations in subcutaneous white adipose gene expression induced by genetic AMPK activation in vivo, in mice fed a chow or a high-fat diet. Methods: Subcutaneous white adipose tissue mRNA profiles of wild-type transgenic (WT-Tg) mice and mice expressing a gain-of-function AMPK mutant gamma1 subunit (D316A-Tg) were generated by deep sequencing. Results: RNA sequencing revealed over 3000 differentially expressed genes between WT-Tg and D316A-Tg subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WATsc) from mice fed a high fat diet (HFD), of which many were classified as 'skeletal muscle-associated'. Interestingly, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), associated with 'beige' adipocyte formation in WATsc, was not differentially expressed. On a chow diet, many differentially expressed genes were also identified, with gene ontology analysis identifiying glycolysis, TCA cycle and brown fat differentiation as highly enriched; key features of brown adipocyte identity. HFD-associated skeletal-muscle associated gene expression was either not significantly altered, or significantly down-regulated on a chow diet, indicating a diet-induced gene signature in D316A-Tg WATsc. Conclusions: Our study revealed gene signatures indicative of brown adipocyte development on a chow diet, where no overt metabolic phenotype was observed in gain-of-function animals. When fed a HFD, WATsc from D316A-Tg mice displayed a muscle-like gene signature, expressing key components of creatine and calcium thermogenic cycles including Ckmt2 (creatine kinase, mitochondrial 2) Atp2a1 (SERCA1-sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase 1) and ryr1 (ryanodine receptor 1). UCP1 expression was not altered between WT-Tg and D316A-Tg mice fed a HFD. Our findings suggest a novel role for AMPK in the regulation of white adipocyte identity and a potentially novel cell population that, when metabolically challenged, preferrentially utilise muscle-like thermogenic futile cycles independent of UCP1 to mediate whole organism energy expenditure.

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

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