Spatiotemporally regulated targeted gene manipulation is a common way to study the effect of gene variants on phenotypic traits, but the Cre/loxP and Tet-On/Tet-Off systems can affect whole-organism physiology and function due to off-target effects. We highlight some of these adverse effects, including whole-body endocrinology and disturbances in the gut microbiome and in mitochondrial and metabolic function.
Tom Ian Battin, Hannes Markus Peter, Grégoire Marie Octave Edouard Michoud, Nicola Deluigi, David Touchette, Martina Gonzalez Mateu, Florian Baier