Adipocyte-specific transgenic and knockout models.

Adipose tissue plays a major role in metabolic homeostasis, which it coordinates through a number of local and systemic effectors. The burgeoning epidemic of metabolic disease, especially obesity and type 2 diabetes, has focused attention on the adipocyte. In this chapter, we review strategies for genetic overexpression and knockout of specific genes in adipose tissue. We also discuss these strategies in the context of different types of adipocytes, including brown, beige, and white fat cells.