STOCK Tg(Ucp1-luc2,-tdTomato)1Kajim/J

Stock number: 026690
Product name: ThermoMouse
Strain synonyms: Thermomouse
Research areas: Research Tools

Description

These ThermoMouse transgenic mice express luciferase under the control of Ucp1 gene promoter and can be used for non-invasive in vivo monitoring of thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue and beige cells.

Detailed description

Uncoupling protein 1, also known as thermogenin, mediates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and energy dissipation. Polymorphisms of the UCP1 gene are associated with obesity and diabetes. ThermoMouse transgenic mice express the codon optimized luciferase2 (firefly, Photinus pyralis) and tdTomato fusion genes under the control of the mouse Ucp1 gene promoter. Luciferase activity mimics the endogenous Ucp1 expression pattern. As only male mice are carriers of the transgene, the transgenic insertion site is most likely on the Y Chromosome. Mice hemizygous for the transgenic insert are viable and fertile. The Donating Investigator has not attempted to make the strain homozygous.

Development

The 98.6 kb mouse bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) bMQ353d13 containing the entire Ucp1 gene, was modified by inserting a a luciferase2-T2A-tdTomato reporter cassette into the first exon of the Ucp1 gene at the initiation codon of the. The luciferase2-T2A-tdTomato reporter cassette contains sequence encoding firefly luciferase and tandem Tomato red fluorescent fusion protein. DNA from a correctly modified BAC clone was used as the source for the ThermoMouse transgene was microinjected into the pronucleus of fertilized oocytes from FVB mice. Founder line 1 was subsequently established. The transgenic mice were maintained on a FVB genetic background prior to arrival at The Jackson Laboratory (see SNP note below). The Donating Investigator reports that the transgene most likely inserted into the Y chromosome as only males are carriers. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, the mice were crossed to FVB/NJ (Stock No. 001800) at least once to establish the colony.

A 48 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) panel analysis, with 43 markers covering all 19 chromosomes and the X chromosome, as well as 5 markers that distinguish between the C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N substrains, was performed on the rederived living colony at The Jackson Laboratory Repository. Three of the 43 markers throughout the genome are segregating from an unknown source.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(Ucp1-luc2,-tdTomato)1Kajim
Name: transgene insertion 1, Shingo Kajimura
MGI accession ID: MGI:5619504
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Reporter
Marker symbol: Tg(Ucp1-luc2,-tdTomato)1Kajim
Marker name: transgene insertion 1, Shingo Kajimura
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: FVB/N
Expressed genes: luc,luciferase,firefly; RFP,Red Fluorescent Protein,coral
Site of expression: Luciferase2 and tdTomato fusion genes are expressed in brown adipose tissue and beige cells.
Molecular note: The 98.6 kb mouse bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) bMQ353d13 containing the entire Ucp1 gene, was modified by inserting a a luciferase2-T2A-tdTomato reporter cassette into Ucp1 exon 1 at the initiation codon. Luciferase2 is a modified version of firefly luciferase.
General note: The transgene is thought to have inserted into the Y chromosome as only male mice are carriers.