Chromosomal localization, expression pattern, and promoter analysis of themouse gene encoding adipocyte-specific secretory protein Acrp30

Acrp30 is an abundantly expressed secretory protein exclusively synthesized in adipose tissue. Due to the dysregulation in various forms of obesity in humans and mice and its strong structural similarity to TNF alpha, it is c urrently under study as an important molecule involved in whole body energy homeostasis. Here we describe the sequence of mouse Acrp30 locus, define t he intron/exon boundaries and map the gene to the telomere of mouse chromos ome 16, syntenic to the human chromosomal locus 3q27. We demonstrate that a lternative polyadenylation gives rise to two distinct mRNA species. We also show that Acrp30 expression is induced only at the late stages of mouse em bryonic development. Finally, we have characterized the mouse Acrp30 promot er in tissue culture cells. We propose that Acrp30 promoter has the potenti al to drive strong adipocyte specific heterologous gene expression in trans genic mice, (C) 2001 Academic Press.