Mice hemizygous for this MCK-DGAT2 transgene are viable and fertile. Under direction of the mouse muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter, these mice overexpress human acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) in striated skeletal muscles, specifically glycolytic (rather than oxidative) muscle. DGAT2 overexpression leads to increased lipid deposition (triacylglycerol, ceramide, and fatty acyl CoA) in glycolytic muscle. This lipid accumulation leads to impaired insulin signaling (insulin resistance), glucose uptake, and glucose tolerance in this tissue, as well as whole-body glucose intolerance. These MCK-DGAT2 transgenic mice may be useful in studying lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle, insulin and glucose metabolism, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Of note, these mice may also be useful in conjunction with Liv-DGAT2-low transgenic mice (Stock No. 007744) which exhibit DGAT2 overexpression directed to hepatic tissue.
