Proopiomelanocortin (coded by Pomc) is a pro-hormone primarily expressed from the pituitary gland and brain, and further processed into multiple hormones, such as adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSHs), that are necessary for metabolic homeostasis, pain response pathways and pigmentation. 
 These POMC-IRES-eGFP mice have an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) fused to an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) sequence inserted 3bp after the stop codon of the Pomc locus, allowing for co-expression of endogenous POMC and EGFP. Heterozygous and homozygous mice are viable with no overt phenotype. The donating laboratory notes that heterozygous and homozygous mice are fertile; however, homozygous females tend to have reduced fertility. These mice may be useful for tracking POMC-expressing cells involved in metabolic processes. Of note, the donating laboratory confirms that EGFP fluorescence can be visualized by immunolabeling and direct fluorescence.

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POMC-IRES-eGFP mice have an IRES fused to an EGFP sequence inserted after the stop codon of the Pomc locus, retaining endogenous Pomc expression. These mice may be useful for tracking POMC-expressing cells involved in metabolic processes.